Olid promises 'brave' Man Utd with new-look style

New Manchester United manager Eva Olid has urged her players to be "brave" and have an "attacking mindset" this season.

The Spaniard takes charge of her debut game in the Women's Super League on Friday when United travel to London City Lionesses for the season opener (19:00 BST).

Olid, who arrived from Hearts, has taken over from predecessor Marc Skinner after he stepped down this summer.

That change and a quieter transfer window than many supporters had hoped for, has led to doubts United can challenge for a top-three spot this season.

Responding to those writing United off, Olid said: "It's normal, no? It's normal to have people doubting. I have felt the support a lot of too.

"People that followed me in the last years with Hearts know I made something impossible possible, so I believe in what we are going to do.

"It's not something you get in weeks but I believe with a little time you get impossible things."

Olid's message to her players has been clear and she hopes, despite an underwhelming pre-season, they can step up on Friday.

"My ambition is attacking football. I focus the gameplans on how we can hurt the teams. All teams have weaknesses we can exploit," said Olid.

"This team will play the first match in the league and I want it to be as close [as possible] to what I want. The style of play is different to what we had last year.

"You can imagine it's not an easy task. What I did was put aside the principles of play that I thought was easier to change for the first match so we can compete.

"The club wanted to play attractive football and be brave. We know that can have risks but the club support me in that. They signed me for that."

Olid's arrival comes at a time when United fans' frustrations are at an all-time high.

Question marks have been hanging over the club about their ambitions for the women's team and the apparent lack of attention from owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Their budget is significantly smaller than that of WSL rivals Arsenal and Chelsea and an underwhelming transfer window has led to many questioning if United can compete at the top this season.

But Olid's appointment is an intriguing one and she brings a track record of success with her from her time at Hearts.

United are moving in a new direction, focusing on developing young players and building an attacking football identity.

Olid was keen to stress this in her first meeting with the English media and came across as an astute tactician.

Sources at the club describe her as "football obsessed" and believe her ruthless work ethic will set a good example to young players breaking through.

She has been reunited with her former assistant coach Gavin Beith and has already hinted about recruitment plans in January that suit her attacking style.