Megan Rapinoe: USWNT star criticises Manchester United over delayed investment in women's team
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ByEurosport
Updated 10/11/2020 at 14:54 GMT
Manchester United faced criticism for not forming a team after their women's side was scrapped in 2005 and were granted a licence to play in the second tier Championship in 2018. Megan Rapinoe has criticised how long it has taken United to get their act together in the women's game.
Megan Rapinoe
Image credit: Getty Images
Megan Rapinoe has criticised how long it has taken Manchester United to get their act together in the women's game, saying it is "disgraceful" that a a club of their statutre took so long to revive their team.
United immediately earned promotion to the Women's Super League (WSL) and finished fourth in their debut campaign in the English top flight. United currently sit top of the WSL table unbeaten after six games following Sunday's 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Rapinoe has criticised the lack of finances put into the women's game in Britain and was especially critical of United.
"Women's football in England is the same as in America. It's so far behind because of what we've had to overcome in the lack of investment," Rapinoe told the BBC.
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.
Several U.S. women's international players have joined the WSL this season. Tobin Heath and Christen Press have signed for United while Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis moved to Manchester City.
Alex Morgan sealed a loan switch to Tottenham Hotspur, making her debut in their 1-1 draw with Reading on Saturday .
Rapinoe, the 2019 Ballon d'Or and two-time World Cup winner, decided not to take part in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) competitions this year, but the 35-year-old said she is targeting a place at the Tokyo Olympics set to take place next summer.
"I've had a few teammates 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," she added.
"I want to keep playing. I'm definitely not anywhere near retirement - I absolutely want to play at the Olympics."
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