Manchester United consider using St. George’s Park as temporary training base for women

Manchester United are considering using St. George’s Park as a temporary training base for their women’s team after the men’s team moved into the women’s building while renovations are carried out at the club’s main training base in Carrington.

The Athletic Last month, the club announced that Manchester United’s men’s team would use the women’s first-team building during the 2024-25 season, with the women’s team being asked to use portable cabins. The club has provisionally booked the Football Association (FA) facility from 29 July for a period of two to three weeks if needed to cover the period while temporary facilities are set up at Carrington.

A final decision on whether to hold a training camp at St. George’s Park – located in the Staffordshire countryside and owned by the FA, which is used by all of England’s national football teams – has not yet been made, however, as the club consults with players and assesses the time it will take to assemble the temporary facilities.

Before that solution was proposed, United’s women’s team were invited to a video meeting with the club, led by head of women’s football Matt Johnson, late last month, during which the club informed the players of the impact of the redevelopment and their future relocation, but not all players were able to attend.

United finished the 2023–24 season as FA Cup winners but finished fifth in the Women’s Super League, their worst finish since promotion to the top flight in 2018–19. Manager Marc Skinner signed a one-year contract extension, with the option for a further 12 months, in May.

Several players also left in the off-season, including goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Katie Zelem and Lucia Garcia, while Dutch international Dominique Janssen arrived on a free transfer.

The England Lionesses squad will use the FA’s training facilities from next week, including United players Ella Toone, Grace Clinton, Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier. The team are currently in the Netherlands for a behind-closed-doors match.

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