One week after Manchester United Women were humbled 5-0 by Chelsea, they nearly toppled the Women's Super League title favourites at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. A 1-1 draw, sealed only by a heartbreaking 95th-minute equaliser, marked a major step forward for a team that had looked lost under a brand-new manager.
A week ago, the questions for Spanish coach Eva Olid seemed endless. United lost their first two matches of the season, including that five-goal thrashing at home. They were disorganised, lacked identity and were wide open at the back. Olid, 41, who took over in the summer from Hearts, faced criticism just weeks into the job. She had promised a new attacking style built on possession, but in those opening two games United managed just two shots on target and less than 40% possession in both.
Few expected them to get anything against Arsenal, a side many tipped to win the title. But Olid asked her players to believe in themselves and return to the defensive roots they had built under her predecessor, Marc Skinner. "It has been an intense week because there were a lot of emotions from players and staff," she said. "Nobody wants to lose 5-0. We grew as a team."
The result was a gutsy, organised display. United won more duels, made more tackles and completed more interceptions than Arsenal, even while holding just 40% of the ball. Midfielder Simi Awujo stood out with her running power, while Andrea Medina tracked back effectively. Julia Zigiotti seized on a mistake from Georgia Stanway to put United ahead midway through the second half, and they held on until the dying seconds, when Smilla Holmberg's late volley denied them a first win of the season.
Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen praised the display: "Manchester United have done a terrific job defensively. Overall, it's just been solid."
Olid knows the attacking side still needs work. "I think the attacking will come," she said. "If you implement a new style of play, you need time. We deserved three points for the hard work and the effort."
The biggest question is whether United can build on this. They were already difficult to break down under Skinner but fell short in big games against title rivals, losing two of three Women's FA Cup finals to Chelsea. Four years have passed since they last beat Arsenal at the Emirates.
Olid, brought in to transform United's style into an attacking, possession-based philosophy, is resolute. "We lose simple passes and we cannot recognise the free player. Those things need to improve. I cannot pretend it's happening in four weeks, but I'm sure it will come."
For now, the foundations are clear: solid at the back, and the attacking promise still ahead. For a team that looked broken a week ago, that is real progress.