Manchester United Women: What are next steps as club secures European spot?

United have been in this position before in 2023, when they secured a Champions League spot, but failed to progress from the qualifying rounds a few months later.

Women's Super League champions Chelsea will go straight into the group phase of the competition next season, while second and third place go into the qualification rounds, meaning United will still have to navigate that.

But they want to go one step further and will attempt to attract the biggest names in Europe to compete in the competition.

Financially, there are rewards. Reaching the group stages of the Women's Champions League means they would receive just over £430,000 as a starting fee and bonus payments on top, depending on results.

"It's huge. The next step is that we have to recruit the right way," added Skinner.

"In order to go into the depths of the Champions League - and from our perspective actually qualify for the group stages - we have to add the quality of depth.

"Champions League gives you that. People want to come to a Champions League team. Hopefully it opens that market for us."

European football also gives United an elevated status in the women's game.

They no longer need to rely on the brand of Manchester United as a club - but the success of their performances as a team.

It is also a boost in their efforts to convince United co-owner, Ineos chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his staff that the women's team are worth investing in.

Skinner added: "The club has a big status but the women's team has a young status. We qualified [for Europe] two seasons ago but now we have done it again and that does give us a big status.

"When we have recruitment calls, it's always about whether we get to the Champions League - that is what the agents are saying.

"That status opens up more doors to give us better conversations."

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