The clubs

Manchester United

It’s fair to say there will be a lot of eyes focused on Manchester United this season, and not just on the opening day against local rivals Manchester City.

After years of waiting for United to return to the women’s game, their promotion from the Championship last season was somewhat of a when, not if, moment. Under former England defender Casey Stoney, United have recruited largely from within the country this summer and the squad still has a very British feel to it, somewhat mirroring their neighbours.

Jane Ross, Abbie McManus and Hayley Ladd have all arrived from within the FA WSL while England goalkeeper Mary Earps signed after a year in Wolfsburg, filling in for the pregnant Siobhan Chamberlain. Netherlands midfielder Jackie Groenen is the most eye-catching arrival after her World Cup semi-final goal, while Swedish left-back Lotta Okvist is a more unknown quantity after being signed after Alex Greenwood departed for Lyon.

Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United aren’t the only big name to take part in the Barclays FA WSL for the first time this season. Spurs’ rise has been remarkable in recent years, winning promotion to what was the then FA WSL 2 in 2017, and two years later they now stand on the verge of their opening game at the top level.

Under the guidance of manager Karen Hills and head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, Tottenham were best of the rest in a hard-fought race for second last season which saw them pip Durham and Charlton Athletic in a season-long battle.

The club has recruited heavily over the summer, but also awarded full-time contracts to plenty of the promotion-winning squad who got them where they are now. Former England winger Gemma Davison is the most eye-catching arrival and she’s been joined by Rosella Ayane, Chloe Peplow, Ria Percival, Lucy Quinn, Becky Spencer, Siri Worm, Hannah Godfrey and Kit Graham.