PFA to 'seek conversations' with Manchester United as management of women's team questioned

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) are reportedly set to seek conversations with Manchester United amid growing concerns over the club's treatment of their women's team.

It has been a turbulent week for the Reds, with minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitting plans for the women's team are "TBC" and a number of high-profile stars, including club captain Katie Zelem, confirming their departures. United Women are also set to be moved out of their £11million state-of-the-art training facility at Carrington to make way for the men's team during the upcoming season amid an ongoing revamp of their facilities.

And The Athletic are now reporting that the PFA are prepared to "step in on behalf of United players amid concerns about the environment." This is the second time in three years that the PFA have been made aware of concerns by United’s women’s team, with members of the squad having previously approached the PFA for support in trying to improve conditions at the club in 2021.

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United are set to carry out a £50million refurbishment of the men's first team's facilities at Carrington next term, meaning Erik ten Hag's team will be granted priority access to the women's facilities, while the women's team will be moved into portacabins that will house changing rooms, team meeting rooms, office spaces and communal areas.

Marc Skinner's side, who finished fifth in the Women's Super League (WSL) last term and won the Women's FA Cup, are still expected to have access to the same canteen and pitches. United say alternative facilities for the men's team were considered but ultimately ruled out for "performance reasons".

This upheaval comes as a number of first-team players are set to leave the club on free transfers this summer. Captain Zelem, who came through United's academy before rejoining their relaunched senior side in 2018, will depart alongside striker Lucia Garcia, who will join Mexican champions Monterrey.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps is also set to leave following the expiration of her contract, with the 31-year-old expected to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain, while forward Nikita Parris' future remains uncertain.