JESS PARK has backed Manchester United to get back to winning ways after missing out on a place in the Champions League.
United dropped out of the top three last season after falling behind rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in the table.
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They were also knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, knocked out of the FA Cup in the fifth round and suffered a 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the final of the League Cup.
Park, who joined the Red Devils from City last summer, is now eyeing silverware ahead of the new campaign.
The 24-year-old told SunSport: “Every single Manchester United team wants to be a winning team and I think that’s important to look at, we want to win as many games as possible and we want to do as best as we possibly can.
“We want to win things, it’s as simple as that, that’ll always be the goal. Obviously there has been a lot of change and we are waiting for that next bit to happen so that we can properly define those goals and start working towards them.”
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United announced the shock departure of head coach Marc Skinner at the beginning of August, a month before the start of the WSL season.
Skinner left the club by mutual consent, although it is understood that he was unhappy with United’s transfer strategy and lack of investment.
Eva Olid was announced as the new head coach two days later. The 40-year-old led Hearts to their maiden Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) title last season and has earned a reputation for developing young talent – which has become a key aim for Man Utd.
Park is confident that United still have the firepower to compete for silverware again despite losing key players like Melvine Malard, Leah Galton and Millie Turner.
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“No matter what, any competition, any league, anything that we compete in, we always want to win,” she added. “That’s always the goal and the aim.”
The attacking midfielder managed six goals and five assists in her debut campaign for Man Utd, earning her a place in the WSL team of the season.
Reflecting on her first season in Red, she said: “Personally, it was a great season, a great season for me to show what I’m capable of and perform against top teams. I think it was what I needed.
“Obviously, the results could have been better for us as a team and we’re looking at that and working on that. But yeah, positive things to take from it and to keep pushing.”
The England international also has next year’s World Cup in mind going into the new campaign – even though the Lionesses are yet to officially qualify.
She continued: “There are always personal goals, you want to build on what you did last season. Obviously there’s the World Cup and that’s always going to be a goal. But that comes from performing at club week in, week out and that’s my goal. It’s always our goal to win games and win as much as we can.
“It’s important to focus day in day out on what you can get better at and what you can do in the games at the weekend. That’s always most important to me, what’s coming up.
“But obviously in the back of my mind it always is that and it’s a goal and the only control I have on that is my performance week in, week out and what I do at club.”
Man Utd take on London City Lionesses in the opening match of the season on Friday, September 4.
WSL opening weekend fixtures
- 4th September – London City Lionesses vs Manchester United
- 5th September – Chelsea vs Aston Villa
- 6th September – Brighton vs Arsenal
- 6th September – Tottenham vs West Ham
- 6th September – Charlton vs Liverpool
- 6th September – Crystal Palace vs Everton
- 6th September – Manchester City vs Birmingham City