Eva Olid has challenged Manchester United Women to become more clinical after seeing clear signs of progress in Wednesday’s 1-0 pre-season defeat to Newcastle United.
United dominated much of the behind-closed-doors friendly in La Manga and created enough opportunities to win, only for Kathleen McGovern to score for Newcastle with six minutes remaining.
Olid was encouraged by the performance compared with her opening 1-1 draw against Leicester City, but identified finishing as the obvious area that must now improve.
Eva Olid wants Man Utd Women to punish teams
Speaking after the game, Olid said United could have been “three, four goals up” during the first half and believes her players must become more demanding in front of goal.
The result itself is not yet Olid’s primary concern.
Her opening friendlies have been used to introduce new principles, give younger players senior minutes and begin establishing the possession-based identity she wants United to develop.
That progression was visible against Newcastle.
United created opportunities for Elisabeth Terland, Hinata Miyazawa and Lea Schüller before the interval, while chances continued to arrive after Olid made changes.
It represents another step from Olid’s first United game against Leicester, when the new head coach was only beginning to introduce her ideas.
ReadManUtd has previously looked at how Olid could change Manchester United Women’s identity, with technical development and a more recognisable style central to her appointment.
Liverpool friendly brings next Man Utd Women test
Olid now wants the emphasis to begin shifting towards results.
United face Liverpool in their next pre-season friendly on Sunday, with the game available for supporters to watch on MUTV.
Olid believes fans will begin to see the new style she is attempting to implement, saying she expects them to “enjoy watching us”.
Captain Maya Le Tissier has also noticed the improvement, describing the Newcastle performance as considerably better than United’s first friendly and highlighting the work being done to build new relationships throughout the squad.
United are still early in Olid’s rebuild.
Two friendlies have nevertheless established a clear priority before competitive football begins: keep creating chances, but start converting them.
