What have Man Utd changed to turn around WSL form?
· Yahoo Sports
Derby day underlined the changing picture at Manchester United, with Eva Olid's team proving they are made of stern stuff by fighting back for a point against rivals Manchester City.
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This was the strongest performance yet under new head coach Olid, who after a slow start is seeing signs of real progress, exemplified in a hard-earned 1-1 draw on Sunday.
United not only ended City's 100% start to the Women's Super League season, but they have also extended their own unbeaten streak to eight matches in all competitions.
It is a remarkable turnaround considering United were without a win and low on confidence after their opening three WSL games.
Their disappointing start to the season was epitomised by a 5-0 drubbing at Chelsea's hands, but "everything" about the performance against City pleased Olid.
"I think it was one of our best performances in general, in terms of the fight and hard work and how we were pressing," Olid said.
"How this team has built in confidence from day one to now, in a short period of time, has been massive. It is still a process, but today was a huge performance."
United now sit fourth in the table after seven matches.
So what has led to their turnaround?
Returning to old ways
The most noticeable changes have happened on the pitch as Olid, who joined in the summer, conceded her side needed to revert to old ways.
They were struggling, initially, to adapt to her new style which demands lots of possession, an attacking mindset and high-risk football.
United toiled in defeats by London City Lionesses and Chelsea, having just two shots on target and less than 40% possession in both matches.
Olid felt her team were trying to do too much and had lost sight of some of their strengths, including their defensive organisation.
She urged her players to revert to what they knew before their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, which showed signs of improvement.
"The things they were good at before, they need to keep and at the same time, little by little, we need to implement our new style," Olid said before that game.
"It's trying to find this balance. Maybe they thought I would expect them to do everything in the first match but that is impossible. You need time."
Manchester United failed to win any of their first three WSL matches [Getty Images]That draw at Emirates Stadium was the catalyst for change at United, offering a foundation to build upon.
They had a tough start but then had a run of games against lower-ranked opposition, and two successive WSL matches at home.
They won the maximum nine points, scored six goals, conceded just two and almost doubled their possession percentage.
By returning to a more familiar defensive structure and adding in elements of Olid's new style, they began to cause more problems up front too.
Having had just 197 passes ending in the final third in their first three games, they recorded a combined 529 against West Ham, Liverpool and Charlton Athletic.
They quadrupled the number of shots they took too, going from 10 to 42 and won more duels in the air.
That helped to build confidence going into Sunday's derby at Leigh Sports Village, and when Elisabeth Terland fired in a late United equaliser it did not feel like a shock.
Overcoming 'transitional period'
Perhaps the biggest changes at United have been off the pitch.
Olid explained that her side had navigated a "transitional period" and had taken part in big discussions following their five-goal home humbling by Chelsea.
Players needed to find confidence and Olid said talks had to bring a solution.
"It has been a lot of hard work to change that, and a lot of honest conversations about what we could do and how we could connect," said Olid on Sunday.
"Sometimes you need a difficult moment to react and see where the problems were [that] we had to solve as a team. It had to happen, to be the team we are now."
The team's form at the start of the season had an impact on individuals.
United vice-captain Ella Toone missed out on England selection for the first time under Sarina Wiegman - albeit she was later summoned as a squad reinforcement.
Toone responded at club level by scoring in United's 3-1 win at Charlton in mid October.
Summer signing Andrea Medina has grown to become a crucial member of the United squad, and the international break proved to be a valuable time for Olid to adjust to her new role, reflect on what needed to change and to spend time on the training pitch.
England defender and United captain Maya le Tissier was among those to return with renewed energy having impressed for her country during the break.
The backroom staff positions were also confirmed and Olid has been able to build a group she hopes can lead United to success going forward.
Fellow Spaniard Jose Herrera joined as assistant coach, alongside Gavin Beith, who worked with Olid at former club Hearts.
Speaking about the international break, Olid said: "I had time to re-organise everything, the roles for the new staff and how we are going to work together.
"This break, for me, was amazing. It was like a new start. It was about keeping the good energy from the last matches but then having a new start."
Now they have proven they can compete with the WSL's best, Olid hopes United can push on and build on their draw with City.
"We need to have our feet on the floor. This season is long and with really good teams. We need to keep improving and learning," Olid said on Sunday.
"If we have the desire and fight we had today, not a lot of things can stop us. We still need to keep improving, but today I could see moments."