Six years since green light for Reds' Women
Today marks the sixth anniversary of Manchester United receiving FA approval to form a professional women's side and compete in the 2018/19 Championship campaign.
The Reds' intention to create a team had been announced on 21 March; when the football authority's permission to go ahead followed just over two months later, it was another exciting and important step.
In a club statement published on ManUtd.com on 28 May 2018, Ed Woodward - executive vice-chairman at the time - said: “The board is delighted that the FA has approved the application. The new women’s team will build on the success of the Girls’ Regional Talent Club and have the same philosophy as all Manchester United sides, creating a pathway from academy to first team.
“We will be making some exciting announcements in the coming days and weeks. Starting a professional team from scratch is challenging but rewarding and we will make every effort to provide the support and experience for the new women’s team to be successful and to uphold the fine traditions of our great club.”
MU Women: History Makers
MUTV Original | Watch our film about United Women's inaugural season, which led to promotion from the Championship...
Other landmark dates in United Women's formation timeline include 8 June 2018, when Casey Stoney was appointed as our first women's head coach, and the unveiling of the entire squad for that inaugural season, on 13 July.
The fact it is only half-a-dozen years since those key events makes United's journey in women's football seem all the more remarkable, from zero at the outset of 2018 to FA Cup-winning heroes under Stoney's successor, Marc Skinner, in 2024 - with a Championship title, first Wembley final appearance, runners-up in the WSL and qualification for this season's Champions League all achieved somewhere inbetween.
To learn much more about how United Women were founded, watch our fascinating film, The History Makers, here or above.