Saturday 4 July 2015 13:23, UK
Manchester United have been urged by to bring back their women’s team by Labour MP Barbara Keeley following England’s success in the World Cup.
The Red Devils scrapped their female team in 2005 and have said they have no plans to reintroduce it despite a fans petition.
Keeley has urged the club to make a U-turn so talented youngsters remain in England.
Speaking at a girls’ tournament in Manchester, she told Sky Sports News HQ: “We’ve still got some issues and barriers to girls being able to find a team to take their careers forward.
“A couple of years ago fans of Manchester United got a petition to restart the women’s team.
“Unfortunately to date the club haven’t wanted to do that. The size of a Premier League club like Manchester United should think about having a women’s team because these girls in future need to have a club.
“We don’t want to keep losing players to North America like [former North Carolina Tar Heels defender] Lucy Bronze."
She added: “I know an awful lot of top clubs, when touring, feel they need to have a women’s side to play the women’s team of the country they are visiting.
“I hope they will rethink and all clubs look into it.”
Keeley also praised Mark Sampson’s side for reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup in Canada.
