'A dream come true': Man Utd Women confirm Eva Olid as new manager after title-winning Hearts spell

Manchester United have confirmed Eva Olid as the new manager of their women's team on a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months.

The 40-year-old Spaniard replaces Marc Skinner and takes charge just four weeks before the WSL season opener at London City Lionesses on September 4. Her contract was signed within 24 hours of Skinner's departure.

Olid said: "The opportunity to become head coach of Manchester United Women is a dream come true. There is already so much talent within our squad and I am excited to work with the players to support them to fulfil their immense potential."

What did she achieve at Hearts?

Olid arrived in Edinburgh as a virtual unknown in 2021 and transformed Hearts from bottom of the table to Scottish champions. They won more games and scored more goals than anyone else last season, netting 85 times in the SWPL.

She plays a full-frontal attacking 3-4-3 formation with her goalkeeper expected to act as a fourth defender. United's frontline of Ella Toone, Lea Schuller and Elisabeth Terland can expect plenty of chances.

She also developed a plan B. Having failed to beat Glasgow City across her first four seasons, Olid went deliberately defensive in April's meeting and won 1-0 to go top of the table. That was the game where she announced her intention to leave, saying she could not have gone without beating them at least once.

Why does she fit United's brief?

United's director of women's football Matt Johnson said: "Eva is the perfect coach to lead us into an exciting new era. She shares our commitment to developing exciting homegrown and young players."

Olid has a track record of developing talent, including handing debuts to the Husband twins, Erin and Jess, at the age of 15.

Former Hearts captain Georgia Hunter said: "She's a great manager, very, very good. I learnt so much. The transition with all the players and where she took the club to is absolutely amazing."

BBC Sport Scotland's Amy Canavan added: "We were convinced she had somewhere special to go. She 100% deserves this chance and is ready for it."

What are the concerns?

BBC Sport's Emma Sanders described it as "one of the most intriguing" appointments given Olid is "untested in the WSL and in Europe." Skinner's departure raised further questions about United's ambition for their women's team, so scrutiny on Olid will be immediate.

Her first job is to galvanise a depleted squad, embed youthful talent and prepare for the season opener.