Manchester United have recently announced the departure of Amy Turner, Christen Press and Tobin Heath.
The trio join Jessica Sigsworth and Jane Ross, who were also released at the end of their contracts, along with manager Casey Stoney, who announced his resignation last month.
Upon leaving, the club said that “they would like to thank you and wish you good luck.”
Just signing one-year deals, the departure of the American duo comes as no surprise, as they were only expected to stay while the NWSL was not operating during 2020.
Having scored four goals last season, Press and Heath will join the United States Olympic team to compete in Tokyo next month.
After the Olympics, the duo are expected to return to clubs in the NWSL. Their rights are currently in the hands of Racing Louisville, who chose them both in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.
However, it has not been confirmed whether they will join Racing Louisville or seek a trade of their rights to another club.
Amy Turner, a stalwart on the bottom line who made 24 appearances last season, will join them in the United States after being signed by Orlando Pride.
A severe blow to the winger, who finished fourth last season, the club mutually agreed with Turner not to activate the optional year extension on his contract.
Turner’s move is believed to be motivated by wanting to be close to his partner, Angharad James, who also recently moved across the pond, joining the North Carolina Courage.
Moving in the other direction, United have been linked with West Ham’s Martha Thomas, Manchester City’s Aoife Mannion and free agent Vilde Bøe Risa recently of Sandviken in Norway.
With such a huge commotion in the team, fans on the male side can be shocked by what is happening. But that move is nothing new in women’s football.
Due to low salaries and typically short-term contracts, team riots are common. Last season United made eight signings and had seven starts by comparison.
So the great exodus shouldn’t be a cause for concern at the moment, but the fact that it continues without replacing Casey Stoney at the managerial helm poses problems for fans.
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