[FM26] #MUWomen

This season, albeit a still young one, has exceeded all my expectations thus far. Would November (and December, just one game so an added bonus) see a continuation or a relapse back to our previous ways? Let's see…

I'm just as surprised as you! I did mention that Chelsea were leaking goals to begin the season, but I simply did not expect to come away from our match-up with a thumping 4-0 home victory. Jess Park took up the mantle of scoring a brace from Gabi Nunes, who actually failed to get on the scoresheet at Old Trafford. Thankfully, her teammates did so instead, with Jayde Riviere and Geyse adding to Park's double. We've well beat Arsenal, now we've battered The Blues. What in the hotfix has happened?😁

I actually had a crash during this fixture, at half time when it was goalless; despite an extremely dominant first half. In fairness to SI, I think it was my PC's fault; I've been having a couple of (hopefully) minor PC issues in recent months and it seemed to be a similar crash to what I've seen before, it's been fine since playing FM26 though so maybe was FM's fault? shrugs

Quite the drop back down to reality, as promoted Newcastle United do what the supposedly great Chelsea couldn't - stop us winning! All the noteworthy action in this fixture at the Gateshead International Stadium occurred within the opening three minutes, with Jess Park's opener being followed two minutes later by a Beth Lumsden equaliser.

What are they feeding those Geordies? They held us, but October league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion matched Chelsea in providing little threat to The Red Devils. Melvine Malard opened the scoring inside the opening minute (like Park at Newcastle, and in the next game* - possible bug tbf), prior to Gabi Nunes returning to her brace-scoring ways. Jess Park made it 0-4 on 56 minutes, with Kiko Seike getting one back for the hosts (who had dropped to fourth by kick-off here) on 75 minutes.

This was a freak match, in more ways than one. Firstly, the obvious. *Secondly, I had a similar crash (again, most likely my PC but inconclusive). Thirdly, I'm fairly certain (I turned away after the 3-3 goal) the match engine didn't even show me the Gabi Nunes winner; which came seconds after a painful late home leveller. Very odd!

Anyway, let's dissect this one. Nunes put us ahead on 19 minutes, which preceded high-flying (third at kick-off irc) London City Lionesses scoring twice in three minutes through (ex-red) Nikita Parris and Grace Geyoro. Nunes equalised on 60 minutes for her usual double, thirty minutes before Katie Robinson seemingly notched the winner. Not quite, as Sanni Franssi made it 3-3 on 90+1. As noted, Nunes got the actual clincher to seal her hat-trick moments later.

Then came Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village for November's fifth and final WSL encounter. An evidently low-scoring affair, Katie Robinson popped up against her former club with a pleasing winner on 82 minutes. Robinson is the summer signing that I dubbed as somewhat of a punt, who was snapped up to be back-up to Celin Bizet Dønnum. In actuality, the Englishwoman immediately displaced the Norwegian (due to a pre-season injury to the latter) and hasn't looked back since with 2 goals and 7 assists; almost matching her tally from the loan at Everton last season, with an improved average rating of 7.64 too.

The final two matches of this update came in the WSL Cup, as we concluded our group stage endeavours in that competition. In this one, fellow WSL team Everton were dispatched 2-0 at Goodison Park. Katie Robinson and Jess Park netted twice inside the opening seven minutes, which ended up being all she wrote.

WSL2's Hull City were December's only scheduled opponent, as our WSL Cup group stage campaign came to a close. Gabi Nunes scored on 12 minutes, with Melvine Malard adding a second on 21 minutes. Emily Pitman got a goal back for Hull on 68 minutes, but Malard almost immediately restored our two-goal advantage on 72 minutes. 17 minutes later, Jess Park made it four. The latter has had a terrific season so far, 11 goals in 14 games in all competitions. It has felt like if Nunes doesn't get ya, Park (albeit in central midfield) will instead. It was never in doubt, but that's the quarter-finals booked.

How does one get a Manager of the Month award around here? Asking for a friend. Second place in September, October and November, would you believe.

At the turn of the year, everyone across the board and fanbase are “ecstatic”. I ought to think so!

Brb, just gonna rename the story #DieWölfinnen. Only kidding. I appreciate the interest Mr. Meyer, but it's a devil's life for me.

There has been some early January transfer business. Geyse kicked up a fuss about not getting chances over countrywoman Gabi Nunes (read the room, mate), so we mutually (well, somewhat mutually - she weren't happy that I sped up her planned departure on a free later down the line) agreed to sell and London City Lionesses instantly came in with an acceptable bid, so Geyse's exit was sealed within hours of her initial complaint. Elsewhere, summer arrival Maisie Symonds is in talks with Atlético Madrid for a loan, having failed to get game time ahead of Lisa Naalsund (as expected).

I don't plan on any incomings next month, only if we have to sell will we sign anyone. Julia Zigiotti Olme has returned from a loan at Seattle Reign, so she'll likely take Symonds' spot on the bench if the latter goes to Liga F.

Honestly, I'm extremely surprised at how, well, easy this season has been. I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, of course, but this season has felt incredibly different to last campaign so far. All of a sudden, we appear to be the best team in the country. I haven't even changed tactic, it's the exact same to the one I used in 2025-26 - the only difference is the personnel. I do wonder if the hotfixes have anything to do with it, but then again the remarkable form began before I updated the game. Who knows, I guess I shouldn't be questioning anything as the game will soon bite me back hard at some point, no doubt.

2027 is around the corner. The year will begin with a double-header at home to derby rivals Manchester City, firstly in the FA Cup fourth round (tough draw!) and then in the WSL. After City, we'll play Tottenham Hotspur (A), Crystal Palace (H) and West Ham United (A).

Thanks for reading!

New Year, New United? I hope not! The Red Devils had an excellent end to 2026, heading into this here 2027 sitting atop the WSL table by six points. Can we maintain (or extend) that advantage?

First up, though, were two big cup ties. Manchester City visited Leigh Sports Village in the FA Cup fourth round and ultimately went back home with cup progression, frustratingly. For the first time this season, United didn't turn up with their usual standard. With that said, we were actually seconds away from going through via Gabi Nunes' 80th minute go-ahead goal. However, Vivianne Miedema hit a 90+2 leveller to send the game to extra time, where The Cityzens took control through a double from Bunny Shaw. There'll no FA Cup glory this year.

Then came a WSL Cup quarter-final with Chelsea, which replaced an originally planned WSL Manchester derby; which has been moved to April. As you can see in the screenshot above, Chelsea condemned United to a second successive cup exit. Unlike the 4-0 victory over The Blues last month, in this encounter it was Chelsea who merited the win. Lauren James and Maika Hamano took it in turns to assist each other for a half-time lead. Gabi Nunes pulled one back for us on 71 minutes and we actually had the chance to equalise around twelve minutes later, but it wasn't to be as ex-Chelsea player (inside job?) Nathalie Björn missed a penalty.

I had another crash immediately following this game, but thankfully the game autosaved before closing so no harm done.

A first WSL match since November took place on 24 January 2027, where thankfully our cup disasters didn't follow us into league action. Tottenham Hotspur were beaten thanks to goals from Gabi Nunes, Ella Toone, Melvine Malard and Katie Robinson, which makes it sound more simple that it in fact was. Spurs put up a good fight with Martha Thomas (ex-red) and Matilda Vinberg equalisers. We weren't all that convincing throughout, but at least we got the job done.

Dropped points did occur next time out, as promoted Crystal Palace held us to a goalless draw at Leigh Sports Village. Our cause was blunted by a 10th-minute red card to Ella Toone, as we failed to find the breakthrough across the rest of the ninety minutes. That's draws with both promoted sides (also Newcastle United) now, which makes for odd reading given how great we've been in the WSL so far this campaign.

January's final match saw us return to our normal self for the first time this month, as West Ham United were defeated 4-0 in Dagenham. Gabi Nunes struck a brace, while Maya Le Tissier (penalty) and Celin Bizet Dønnum also netted; those last two players, who were stars last season, have found game time hard to come by due to the form of others, though as of right now are both back in the startling eleven.

A somewhat concerning month, but one we've hopefully come out of on the right path. United stay top of the table, albeit with a cutdown lead of four points to Arsenal; who we visit next month. Liverpool (A) and Leicester City (H) make for bottom half oppo to go alongside that match at the Emirates Stadium in February. We have exited both cup competitions annoyingly, but it at least means we can do the cliché thing of fully focusing on the WSL - where we remain unbeaten, by the way. Twelve to play!

Before I go, there were tidbits to share from January. I said I wasn't going to sign anyone but I did snap up Louna Ribadeira on loan from Chelsea, she is a forward to replace the departed Geyse as Gabi Nunes' back-up. We are also in loan discussions with Spanish midfielder Maite Oroz (Tottenham Hotspur), who'd replace squad player Julia Zigiotti Olme; who is in talks with Juventus for a permanent move, having put in a transfer request due to likely work permit issues in regards to her contract situation. Away from that, Maya Le Tissier is considering her options when her deal ends in June 2028.

Thanks for reading!

Season is moving along very quickly now, and you're about to enter the business end of things! Can you keep it going?

Nunes has been a very astute signing, long may her form continue! So many transfer requests coming in, sure that'll stop!

Top work again matey!

Thanks pal! It is indeed, fingers crossed we can keep the form up. The biggest compliment to pay Gabi Nunes is that we don't even remember our former forward's name now.😁

January 2027 made for a hit-and-miss month, which featured cause for concern but also hope that we'd keep on the right track. So, the question is: would we?

Ew. Bad start! Liverpool, down in mid-table, secured a special WSL win at Anfield against their club rivals. Gabi Nunes gave us a 43rd minute advantage, but that was neutralised minutes later by Mina Tanaka. Twenty minutes into the second half, another Japanese international in Fūka Nagano gave The Reds the winner. Not a good day at the office.

Well that's a terrific response to that prior defeat, at least. Leicester City were sent packing from Leigh Sports Village with a 5-1 loss, as Hinata Miyazawa - the WSL loves Japan, clearly - initiated the scoring in minute 4. Gabi Nunes doubled our lead on 26 minutes, which would be the first of a treble for the Brazilian. Before Nunes got on her way to that hat-trick, Noémie Mouchon and Tamira Livingston got on the scoresheet for either side.

Ffs. Now that… that could be a costly, costly defeat. Arsenal came from 2-0 down at the Emirates Stadium to seal a huge 3-2 win, as Mariona Caldentey and former red Alessia Russo (2) netted goals. Gabi Nunes and Hinata Miyazawa had given us a well deserved half-time lead, but it was one we failed to hang on to. Vibes of that UWCL final defeat to Chelsea last campaign: what could have been…

We've been knocked off top spot, as you'd expect given we lost two out of three February fixtures, by Arsenal, though The Gunners have played one game more than us. It's still in our hands, but we really need to sort ourselves out. We've not been the same team whatsoever since New Year's Day, ever since I mentioned in a post on here that I was finding the game too easy. A jinx for the ages, perhaps.

March is busy and busy is good, as it gives us plenty of opportunity to fix things. Everton, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are home games that simply must be won, though we have a tricky double-header amid those aforementioned fixtures versus Manchester City and Chelsea; only Chelsea is away, which - on paper - is a plus. 9 to go.

A bit of housekeeping to end on. Maite Oroz did indeed arrive on loan on deadline day from Tottenham Hotspur, while the great Jayde Riviere will be “considering her options” for June 2028's end of contract. We're set to lose some big players in that year, admittedly I most likely will not be playing the save by that point due to the full FM release and thus my journeyman but still not a good thing, of course.

Thanks for reading!

The penultimate update of the season. We were knocked off top spot in the WSL in the preceding February 2027, mainly thanks to a rough 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium to title rivals Arsenal. We did have a game in hand and still had more than enough time to make things right. Here's how a busy March period went.

March began brightly, as a Gabi Nunes brace and a Katie Robinson strike sent us on our way to three points at home to Everton; who had equalised for 1-1 through Katja Snoeijs. The only negative from this fixture was a red card for Moeka Minami.

Next came a Manchester derby with City, a team not in the title race picture given they're struggling around mid-table but still an opponent that's one of the best that the WSL has to offer. And so it proved, as they came away from Old Trafford with a 3-2 win. Gabi Nunes hit yet another double, I've lost count at how many of those she has to her name now, but Leicy Santos, Alice Sombath and Elena Linari (91mins, ouch) made sure we left the match with nothing in our pockets.

I did have another crash during this one, at around half-time when we were losing 1-0. Crashes are obviously annoying, but especially on the ‘rematch’ as it's feels cheat-y if we end up winning it - but then we weren't guaranteed to lose on the first attempt either, so it shouldn't really - I'm odd, is what I'm saying. Either way, we lost.

Our next fixture was even more difficult, as we took a trip to Craven Cottage (not entirely sure why Chelsea have moved from Kingsmeadow… redevelopment perhaps?) to face UWCL-chasing and still possible title challengers Chelsea. Millie Bright put The Blues ahead after 21 minutes, prior to Gabi Nunes levelling nine minutes later. Anna Sanberg then gave United a half-time lead. Frustratingly, Sam Kerr popped up for 2-2 on 79 minutes. I do think this is a point gained though, no matter what happens later down the line.

Days after that visit to West London, we were back on home turf to play bottom side Newcastle United. Unlike earlier in the season when The Magpies took a point off of us, we ran out 4-0 winners at Leigh Sports Village. Melvine Malard struck twice, with Gabi Nunes and Jess Park adding gloss. An important return to form?

Wow! We're back on form alright, for now anyway. The Red Devils produced a 7-1 trouncing of mid-table Brighton & Hove Albion to round off March 2027. Katie Robinson hit a brace after 19 minutes, netting either side of a customary Gabi Nunes (33 in 27 now - some player!) goal. Melvine Malard got in on the act on 34 minutes, making it 4-0 at the interval. In the second half, Jess Park, Jayde Riviere and Celin Bizet Dønnum made it Man Utd 7-1 Brighton; Edna Imade had made it 4-1 for Albion.

Wahey, a Manager of the Month award belatedly comes my way. Huzzah!

More importantly, we head into our final four fixtures sitting atop the WSL. Arsenal do, however, now have the game in hand. We also have tricky games with Manchester City (again) and London City Lionesses (4th) in April, with Aston Villa (9th) and Tottenham Hotspur (5th) to conclude the campaign in May.

Arsenal do have the possible distractions of UWCL and FA Cup football, though the toughest their WSL fixtures get is Tottenham and London City. We're gonna need to stay on top form and receive help from elsewhere.

Thanks for reading!

The business end of the 2026-27 season arrives. Could I lead United to their first-ever WSL title, or would Arsenal claim their fourth triumph in the competition?

A good start, as we won derby day by beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Gabi Nunes and Hinata Miyazawa got the goals. Elsewhere, Alessia Russo's hat-trick lead Arsenal to a rivalry win of their own at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A damaging day arrived next time out. The Red Devils fell to a poor 1-0 home loss to admittedly UWCL-chasing London City Lionesses, to make things worse it was former United captain Katie Zelem who struck a decisive early free-kick. To be fair, LCL dominated this match - we didn't turn up. Elsewhere, Arsenal edged out a valuable 1-0 win at home to West Ham United. The Gunners would then play twice before our next match, so would very likely clinch the WSL title from this point on.

Arsenal beat Crystal Palace to head five points clear with two to play; the fixture list was messed up due to their UWCL commitments, so The Gunners wouldn't play at the same time as us at any point; probable bug.

There we have it. Arsenal are WSL champions! The Gunners would also win The Treble after FA Cup and UWCL glory. For United, too many dropped points as Arsenal went perfect to end the season when it mattered. Small margins.

We ended with pride, as we secured back-to-back two-goal victories versus Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. The goals against Villa came from Melvine Malard and Katie Robinson, with the latter then notching a brace at home to Spurs.

Second place and UWCL qualification. Disappointing given our early 2026 form, but I would've been delighted with that at the season's start - and I still am, to be honest.

…and that's that. I was toying with the idea of squeezing one more campaign in before the full FM26 launch next week, but I could do with a break in truth and many key players are wanting out of the club so I can't be asked to do a big rebuild for just one season. Nonetheless, this has been a fun save all in all. Really cool to be able to manage United's women's team and to learn more than I already did about the WSL et al. I am admittedly eager to get my long-term journeyman save underway on November 4th.

Thanks for reading!

really enjoyed this @r96, fantastic to see a save that dived head on in to the Womens game and showcased it for all to read! Thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to seeing what you get up to on full release!

Until then, we ride!

Nunes seemed a bit of a cheat code there. A good coupl3 seasons, denied late on but enjoyed going through this.

God im excited for your full save+

I appreciate the kind words, I certainly enjoyed the save. Can't wait to get my journeyman going though!

Nunes was class, one of my favourite signings on FM ever to be honest.

Up there with a striker I signed when managing in the Portuguese lower leagues on an old FM (before I even joined Susie): Ronaldo Monteiro. I can't recall exactly what save it was or who I was managing (Pinhalnovense, I think?), but I still remember Mr. Monteiro and his magic boots.

Hopefully I can find another gem or two in my journeyman, which I am excited for!