'It’s gone to another level' - Manchester United star lifts lid on Ineos impact at the club

Manchester United defender Aoife Mannion says things have already gone to 'another level' at the club since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment was confirmed.

Both the men's and women's senior sides recorded disappointing league campaigns this past season before they each won the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. Marc Skinner's side thumped Tottenham 4-0 at the start of the month to win the trophy for the first time in their history, while Erik ten Hag's team defied the odds to beat Man City 2-1 last weekend.

The FA Cup double triumph was a huge boost to United and their new owners, who insist they are equally committed to bringing success to both sides in the years to come.

Asked about the pressure from above to deliver success on the pitch, Mannion told the Irish Independent: "Definitely. It has to be like that. In women’s sport, whether you like it or not, you have to be making those steps. Because everyone around you is making those steps. So even if you think you’re improving, it’s more about the rate of improvement.

“There are lots of changes going on behind the scenes in terms of the size of our staff and facilities. It’s not clear to see from the outside looking in. But it’s gone to another level and with that comes expectations of what a domestic campaign should look like, and then competing with cups. For us we managed to finish it off on a good note in terms of the cup. But that’s not to say that was the sentiment across the season. So being competitive across the league is something we need to take to the next level, be more consistent.”

Ratcliffe chose not to attend the women's FA Cup final win, but was in attendance as the men's side defeated City last weekend. He did send them a video message ahead of the match, though Mannion says the players were only focused on sporting matters heading into the final.

She added: “As players we are always sheltered from seeing those changes. But definitely they are happening. There are new faces like Dan Ashworth the technical director, Omar Berrada the chief executive.

“There are changes happening and people who have had great reputations and have done good things in different clubs. Those changes will take time. On a day to day basis our days look the same. You’re coming in, having a team meeting, going out to training, coming in, having lunch, doing the gym. That will all remain the same. That’s not to say great things are happening, they will be. But as players, we are all sheltered from the details.”