Manchester United apply to have professional women's team

Manchester United have applied to have a professional women's team.

It follows more than a decade of campaigning by football fans and would-be players.

If the application is successful, the United team would be based at the Cliff training ground in Salford, playing in the second tier of the Women’s Super League.

It's hoped this will provide a career pathway for players who graduate from the Girls' Regional Talent Club.

Announcing the move, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the women's side "must be built in the same image and with the same principles as the men's first team and offer academy players a clear route to top-level football within the club".

It is anticipated they would play as a full-time team in the second tier. The results of the application will be named later in the spring.