Manchester United’s solid start to the 2025/26 season has taken a steep dive in the last two weeks, and manager Marc Skinner has plenty of work to do after a difficult loss on the road in Europe on Wednesday.
United fell 5-2 to German giants VfL Wolfsburg, the first loss for the Reds in UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Phase play this season and a real wake up call for the remainder of the campaign. The team had managed to navigate three straight nervy matches with one-goal wins, but that all came
to an end with a disastrous defensive display.
Lineth Beerensteyn and Ella Peddemors provided a brace each as the hosts overcame an early goal from Fridolina Rolfo, establishing a 3-2 halftime advantage and then pulling away with two more goals in the second half.
The Reds, once again without no. 1 goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce struggled to keep out the Wolfsburg forwards.
There wasn’t much difference between the teams in terms of possession, and Wolfsburg only had a slight advantage in chances created, but the quality of finishing and direct attacks were overwhelming for United. The second and third goals, which came in quick succession for Wolfsburg, left United a bit shellshocked considering the nature of the long-range strikes from Peddemors and Beerensteyn, but the sloppy play in midfield and inability to close down shots plagued them as well in the defensive third.
The match was the third game in a row without PTJ, and while Safia Middleton-Patel performed admirably against PSG, she has let in eight goals in two matches against Manchester City and Wolfsburg. Still, the problems go well beyond the goalkeeper position, and Skinner and his squad have plenty to answer for as he tries to get United back on track.
