Football: Manchester United to launch women's team
What's the story
Manchester United are all set to launch their first ever women's team after the club submitted an application to the Football Association (FA).
The Premier League giants are one of the rare elite clubs in Europe which don't have a women's team.
The club's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced the move and stated they have applied for an entry in Women's Super League 2.
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Manchester United would focus on their principles
Ed Woodward stated that the FA has given them excellent support and the women's team must be built with the same principles like the men's first team. He added that it will also help academy players to establish themselves as first team players.
Twitter Post
Manchester United's official statement
#MUFC has submitted an application to the @FA to establish a professional women’s team in the second tier of the Women’s Super League.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 21, 2018
Club statement: https://t.co/fUKFvJt1v0 pic.twitter.com/0eLbaZWxiH
Vital information
FA Women's Super League: All you need to know
The FA Women's Super League comprises of 10 teams each in division 1 and 2 and is the highest-league in England.
Chelsea are the current holders of the division 1 title.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea hold the record of most title wins (2).
The WSL was launched in April 2011.
The winners and the runners-up of WSL qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.
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Promotion and relegation battle
The FA WSL 2 was introduced in 2014. There is a system of promotion and relegation between the two divisions. Below the WSL, lies the FA Women's Premier League which is essentially level three of women's football.