Johnson: We've changed our signings approach
Our interim head of women’s football, Matt Johnson, met with members of the Manchester United Women’s Supporters Club on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's WSL opener.
Sitting around a table in the Trafford Suite at Old Trafford, fans were able to ask Johnson their questions about strategy, players, finance and fan engagement.
When asked about the reason for agreeing to the fans' conference, Johnson said: “I wanted to have the opportunity to introduce myself to the fan base. It’s a chance to build a connection and a rapport with you.”
Many of the discussions centred around the summer transfer window – looking at players leaving on a free and why our new players were announced using only a wall graphic to start with.
“It’s been a very different transfer window,” Johnson said.
“There have been two international breaks and an international training camp over the summer which has meant we have had one or two days to fly players over and get them in to sign for us.
“We wanted to get our business done early, it was important that we had our new signings before Marbella and we wanted to tell the fans about our signings which is why we announced the way we did without having the opportunity to capture any content with them.”
The evening was a great opportunity for the fans to hear about the inner workings of the club and whilst everyone there joked about the famous wall graphic, they all agreed that the content which has been produced since has been fantastic.
Since taking over the role as Interim head of football, Johnson has changed the approach of signings, which he is very proud of.
Johnson added: “I want to be clear we won’t lose key players for free on Manchester United’s choice. We have changed our approach.
“All new signings have a minimum of two years plus a year extension or three year contracts.
“We want to get longer control of our players and make sure we are safeguarding ourselves.”
Ahead of Saturday’s game at Old Trafford, talk fell to where fans and staff thought the best place for the women’s games should be.
Some teams, like Leicester City, play all their games at the main stadium where as we chose to have a number at Old Trafford throughout the season.
It is a debate which will continue, Johnson agreed.
“Leigh Sports Village is an extremely important place for us. We play better there but we can’t hide from where we want to go. For me the ambition is to fill Leigh week in, week out. It’s a special place especially when we get it rocking, look at the Chelsea game last season. The players are still talking about that now.
“It’s a valid debate about where the games should be. Should all games be at Old Trafford? We are not in a position to bring all our games here.
“The women’s game has seen a massive growth in recent years but there is a slight dip now if you look at the Championship attendances from the opening few weeks.
“If we start to grow the games at Leigh then it’s a conversation will have about moving the games to Old Trafford full time.
“Arsenal are leading on this, we are not ashamed to admit it, and we will keep having conversations with them about what we are doing.
“Arsenal have been building for a long time. We are only on our sixth season. We don’t want to be playing to a quiet stadium. We want to hear our passionate fans get behind us like they do at Leigh, that’s what makes our club special.”
Tickets for the campaign curtain-raiser are still available, from £15 per adult and £7.50 for those under the age of 16.