Thomas: Our aim is to kick on

Adding seven new faces to his playing squad this summer, head coach Marc Skinner bolstered his options ahead of the new campaign, with the likes of Lucia Garcia, Rachel Williams and Grace Clinton, to name just three, arriving at the club.

But with the Reds competing on three different fronts across the season, Thomas insists that bringing in new personnel helps her her and the rest of the United Women squad strive to perform better.

''We added a lot more depth and that gives us more opportunities," began Thomas, speaking ahead of this weekend's clash with Aston Villa. "It pushes people on. You need to work to get onto the pitch now. 

''That's what everyone wants and we've got that depth to push on to be a top team in this league and you need that.

''That's something we've been missing and now we've got that we really want to kick on.''

Following our fourth-placed finish in the WSL last season - narrowly missing out on UEFA Women's Champions League qualification - United have since began the 22/23 campaign in fine fashion domestically.

Registering two wins from two so far, Thomas believes having the ability to keep our key players at the club bodes well for our future plans for success.

''I think one of the big things about this club which I have noticed since I've been here is one the togetherness we have as a squad," she said. "But also it helps when we keep numbers here year-on-year.

''A lot of the time our squad is staying together. Obviously there are a few departures, and new people come in, but they come into a culture that is already there.

''I feel like the team environment here is really good, and that's a credit to us.''