Man United await decision on bid for Women's professional team

Sport360 staff 14:08 27/05/2018
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  • Manchester United will discover if they have been successful in their bid to establish a professional team in the second tier of women’s football on Sunday.

    The Football Association is set to announce the final restructuring of the women’s game ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

    United, who will reportedly be coached by former England international Casey Stoney, are expected to be selected to join the FA Women’s Championship, currently known as Women’s Super League 2.

    Tier one of women’s football, which will become the stand-alone FA Women’s Super League, will next season have a maximum of 14 teams, while up to 12 clubs will compete in the Championship.

    The FA has received 15 applications to join the two revamped divisions, with nine vacancies available.

    Up to four teams could join the top tier and a maximum of five may enter the second.

    Arsenal Women

    Clubs including West Ham have stated their desire to join the WSL, while Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United are among the teams to bid to join the Championship.

    WSL 1 champions Chelsea are among the 10 clubs already awarded a tier one licence for next season, in addition to Arsenal, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol City, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Reading and Yeovil.

    Tier two licences have been granted to Aston Villa, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Durham, London Bees, Millwall Lionesses, Sheffield FC Ladies and Tottenham.

    Confirmation of the final league structure will come following the play-off final in the third tier, which is split into north and south regions and known as the Premier League, between Charlton and Blackburn.

    Winners of that match at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane will almost certainly be guaranteed a place in the Championship, should they meet the eligibility criteria.

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