MEGAN RAPINOE has blasted the amount of time it took Manchester United to form a women’s team as “disgraceful”.
The USA World Cup winner discussed the state of women’s football in England and America in a no holds barred interview with the BBC.
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USA icon Megan Rapinoe reckons it took a “disgraceful” amount of time for United to form a women’s sideCredit: Reuters
Man Utd women’s side celebrated their promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2019
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced the club’s plans to create a women’s side in March 2018 after a 13-year hiatus.
The Red Devils applied for a license after many years of criticism for their lack of participation at the top of the WSL.
A year after the team was founded the club secured promotion into the top-flight – with former England captain Casey Stoney at the helm.
Rapinoe told the BBC: “I think women’s football in England is the same as in America – it is so far behind because of what we’ve had to overcome in the lack of investment.
“It’s 2020. How long has the Premier League been around? And we’re only just seeing a club like Manchester United put effort and pounds towards a women’s team? Frankly, it’s disgraceful.”
In 2005, Malcolm Glazer completed his takeover of United and according to the Manchester Evening News, within a few months the women’s side were booted out as it wasn’t in their “core business” interests.
Credit to Stoney and the players, who have taken the club to TOP of the WSL in just three-years thanks to a huge win over big guns Arsenal last time out.
Two of Rapinoe’s USA teammates, Christen Press and Tobin Heath, joined United in the summer.
Ed Woodward went to watch the women’s side at the Leigh Sports Village in their maiden campaign in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
Their shirts outsold EVERY player in the men’s squad in the first three days of their release.
The Ballon d’Or winner, added: “I’ve had a few team-mates go abroad and play, while I’m training and trying to keep fit in the hopes that eventually we’ll be out of this hellscape.
“I want to keep playing. I’m definitely not anywhere near retirement – I absolutely want to play at the Olympics.
“After the Olympics I’ll have to take a longer look at the next three years. We’re a year closer to the next World Cup and it’s pretty enticing. We’ll leave that one out in the open…””
Rapinoe recently got engaged to Seattle Storm basketball player, Sue Bird, after four years together.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
