Abbie McManus reveals she gave up winning guaranteed trophies with Manchester City to sign for Manchester United so she could play as a centre half.
The defender was on the losing side on Saturday as United fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Etihad, after a Caroline Weir second half wonder strike, but had no regrets swapping to the opposite side of the city.
"I wanted to be a centre half. Nick Cushing didn’t see me as a centre half," McManus said after the game. "It was a personal reason for me. I had an England career to think of and I only get selected at centre half. I’m not a right back.
"It was a decision that wasn’t easy to take. I know Man City are going to win trophies. Hopefully now we can challenge them and hopefully I can make Manchester United a better team."
United already look like they've got what it takes to compete in the top tier and McManus said the team were high in the dressing room at half time after their performance in the first 45.
"We were high when we went in at half time. We thought we outplayed them," she said. "We definitely matched them for hard work, for talent. I thought we got in behind their full backs very well. That was part of the game plan. Unfortunately we didn’t finish the chances. On another day we will be more clinical."
Casey Stoney believed United's performance set a message to the rest of the league over their ability to compete but the team aren't getting carried away with thinking about winning the title.
"We want to compete in this league. We’re not taking our feet off the ground, saying we’re going for No.1. We’re new to the league," she said. "The club has brought in five important players. Hopefully they can improve from last year. Who knows? We put in a great performance against Manchester City. I hope we can compete this year. There is no other expectation than to compete."
