Manchester United Women ended their season on Saturday afternoon, falling to Chelsea in an absolute hammering at Old Trafford.
Manchester City were looking for a favour from United as the Women’s Super League went into its final day.
City and Chelsea were locked on points at the top of the table and with Emma Hayes’ side heading to Old Trafford, City really needed a United result.
That didn’t happen though as United were hammered 6-0 as Chelsea secured the WSL title.
United were 4-0 down by half-time and didn’t manage a shot on target as Marc Skinner’s side were simply blown away.
The season is now over and whilst United did manage to secure the FA Cup, the transfer window presents plenty of questions for a United side who finished fifth in the WSL this season.
Here are some of the biggest talking points and transfer rumours surrounding United’s women ahead of the transfer window opening in June…
Mary Earps
United lost Alessia Russo to Arsenal last year and could now lose another England international in goalkeeper Earps.
The England stopper has spent the last five years with United but is now out of contract this summer.
There has been no movement on a new deal and Saturday’s thrashing may well prove to be the final time we see Earps in a United shirt.
Paris Saint-Germain wanted Earps in January and that interest may well continue as Earps nears becoming a free agent.
United can’t keep losing top players on free transfers and seeing Earps move on just 12 months after Russo would be an enormous blow.
Ella Toone
Attacking midfielder Toone has become a crucial part of the Lionesses side and a vital player in the United side.
Toone scored a stunner in the FA Cup final and with Russo gone and Earps potentially leaving, Toone is the kind of player United need to build around moving forward.
Toone has even been backed to become a club legend, somewhat similar to Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham.
The problem is that Toone is now attracting admiring glances too.
The Daily Mail suggest that Barcelona are looking to sign Toone this summer and a ‘significant’ fee would be needed as Toone still has two years left on her contract.
Barcelona are one of the superpowers of the women’s game though and a move to Catalunya may yet appeal to Toone.
Grace Clinton
If United are looking for another star to really emerge and break through next season, Grace Clinton would be the favourite.
The 21-year-old midfielder has spent the season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur having shown promise with Bristol City last term.
Now an England international, Clinton has continued to show goalscoring ability from midfield.
United really need to develop Clinton over the coming years but Tottenham are seeking a permanent move to sign the former Everton talent.
Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn has already admitted that he would like to buy Clinton this summer, so United may face a decision on her future.
Potential exits
Earps isn’t the only United player out of contract this summer.
Club captain Katie Zelem still doesn’t have a new deal and seeing her walk away would be a huge disappointment.
Nikita Parris and Rachel Williams – two England internationals with plenty of experience – are also set to leave for free as things stand.
Forward Melvine Malard is only on loan from Lyon and is currently set to return to France this summer.
Malard scored five WSL goals but it’s unclear whether United intend to bring her back for next season.
Ewa Pajor
United had been looking into a potential coup by targeting VfL Wolfsburg striker Ewa Pajor.
The Polish international is one of the top strikers in the women’s game and has been a goal machine for club and country.
Pajor has a release clause in her contract, allowing her to leave Wolfsburg for around €500,000 (£425,000) this summer.
United were interested but Wolfsburger Allgemeine report that Pajor will instead be joining Barcelona at the end of the season.
Barcelona have been hunting a new striker after seeing Asisat Oshoala join Bay FC and Pajor looks set to be that player despite United’s interest.
Julia Grosso
One deal United may still have some hope of securing is a move for Juventus midfielder Julia Grosso.
Italian reporter Mirko Di Natale suggested in March that United had joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Grosso as her contract with Juve reaches its final stages.
Canadian international Grosso has racked up 62 caps at the age of just 23 and would mark a real signing for the future having shown goalscoring capabilities from midfield in Italy.
Juventus reporter Mauro Munno adds that Grosso is now set to leave Juventus, but that a move to the United States is more likely.
Grosso allegedly believes that she can take on an even bigger role with Canada if she is on show in the NWSL next season.
United still have a chance here, but will clearly face some considerable competition.
Denise O’Sullivan
The most likely arrival right now is Republic of Ireland international Denise O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan is the current captain of NWSL side North Carolina Courage, where she has racked up more than 120 appearances.
The 30-year-old is out of contact in November though, meaning she may be leaving the United States in the coming months.
The Daily Mail claim that United not only want O’Sullivan but are ready to make a cash offer this summer.
United seemingly don’t want to wait until 2025 to land O’Sullivan and will try to tempt North Carolina Courage into a deal.
O’Sullivan is described as being a lifelong United fan so the chance to make the move will surely appeal to the midfielder.
Perle Morroni
United brought in Lyon forward Malard last year but were also chasing her teammate Perle Morroni.
The left back was heavily linked with a move to United but no deal was done back in 2023.
Formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, Morroni has been battling it out with Selma Bacha to become Lyon’s first-choice left back.
Lyon are though looking to sign another left back with Real Madrid talent Sofie Svava wanted.
That could leave Morroni out in the cold and a summer move away from Lyon cannot be ruled out.
It’s unclear whether United are still interested in Morroni but if she becomes available this summer, she will surely be a name to watch for United.