"My ultimate aim is to grow this team so that every little girl growing up dreams of playing for Manchester United."
Those were Casey Stoney's words in June 2018, when the former England international was hired as the first-ever head coach of Manchester United Women. The appointment came with a huge challenge but it was one she embraced with relish and embraced from the very outset.
Stoney was starting from scratch, building a new team with a 21-player squad after little over a month in charge. Alex Greenwood and Siobhan Chamberlain, the head coach's fellow Lionesses, brought invaluable experience to a young group, with the former appointed as the Reds’ first captain.
“It’s so professional and everything’s done properly,” noted defender Amy Turner. “I can’t wait to see where this club goes. I’m really excited to get started now.”
That buzz continued to build through to the landmark occasion of United’s opening game, fittingly away to Liverpool in the Continental League Cup. And what a way to start – with just six minutes remaining, Lizzie Arnot’s goal ensured it would be a day never to be forgotten, as the top-flight Merseyside opponents were vanquished.
More momentous days followed, as a crowd of 4,835 turned out for the side’s first game at their new home, Leigh Sports Village. But after two cup fixtures, it was time to kick off in the league.
United entered the FA Women’s Championship with one aim: immediate promotion to the Women’s Super League. The determination was obvious from day one, with a sensational 12-0 win away to Aston Villa first up, including five goals for Jess Sigsworth. Stoney’s team were absolutely flying from there, winning eight and drawing one of the first nine games, with 42 goals scored and just one conceded.
There were some notable displays in the cups, too, with WSL sides Everton and West Ham beaten in the Continental League Cup before a narrow semi-final defeat against established powerhouse Arsenal, as well as a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals that included victory at top-flight Brighton.
On 17 April 2019, Villa were once again on the end of a large scoreline, but this time with added significance. A 5-0 triumph ensured the target of promotion was achieved with three games to spare, with the Reds clinching the title in style in the very next outing, a 7-0 success against Crystal Palace. The season concluded with an incredible 55 points from an available 60.