Manchester United Women: Squad reveal

Manchester United shocked critics earlier this year when they announced that they would be applying for a license for the FA Women's Championship for the coming season.

United faced pressure as they failed to keep up with the growth of the women's game, despite being the biggest football club in the world.

In the meantime, their derby rivals, Manchester City, were paving the way for professional women's football, and going from strength to strength.

England legend Casey Stoney was chosen to take Manchester United into the top flights of women's football in England, and was tasked with building on United's success with their existing girl's academy.

While other clubs have been announcing player signings over the last few weeks, Stoney kept her cards tight to her chest, but all was revealed today.

Stoney, and second in command Willie Kirk have created what they believe is a 'young' and 'exciting' team to compete next season.

After retiring from Liverpool in February, Stoney looked back to her old squad for signings, bringing Lionesses Alex Greenwood and Siobhan Chamberlain into the fold alongside clubmates Martha Harris, Naomi Hartley, Emily Ramsey, Lucy Roberts and Amy Turner.

Stoney has also brought Katie Zelem back to England, after she completed a title winning season with Juventus in the Serie A.

The squad also contains a lot of young talent, and players who came through the girl's academy at United.

Fran Bentley, Kirsty Hanson, Ella Toone, Millie Turner, Hartley, Ramset and Zelem all spent time at the United academy as girls, and have returned to the club following the creation of a senior team.

Speaking about her squad, Stoney said: "We've gone young, we've gone exciting, we've gone entertaining."

"I'm more than aware that we're bringing 21 strangers together but I'm really excited about the squad and the future of this team."

Alex Greenwood has been chosen as the right player to captain the squad in their first professional season.

"I'm ready for this challenge, I'm so proud to be captain of the team and what I talented team and can now say I captain."

Greenwood played alongside Stoney at Liverpool, and has no doubts that her managerial qualities will be just as sharp as her playing ability.

"Casey has unbelievable experience in the women's game, I've played with her fortunately and the amount I learned from her in that time was unbelievable."

"For her to be my manager now is very exciting."

The new Manchester United Women's team will take part in some closed door friendlies before the start of the season, but will then be thrown in the deep end with a tough FA Women's Championship league.