Skinner’s departure came after months of hints at his frustrations over the lack of investment in his squad.

His side finished inside the Women’s Super League’s top three on two occasions, reached three successive FA Cup finals, delivered a first major trophy and made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the first time of asking.

Some criticism towards Skinner came from United’s own fanbase, as they held banners up at Leigh Sports Village calling for his sacking in 2024.

Unhappiness also appeared to be based on their performances against their WSL top-three rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, rather than just results.

Meanwhile, media repeatedly pointed out the club’s lack of investment, which followed ex-manager Casey Stoney stepping down in 2021 because of growing concerns over a lack of resources and the state of facilities.

United took so long to form a professional women’s set-up that when they did in 2018 – hiring Stoney as manager and recruiting a number of Lionesses, including current Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood to play in the second tier – the assumption was they intended to battle it out with England’s elite.

But eight years on, they have delivered just one major trophy and are in danger of slipping below their rivals again this season.

High-profile reports on United’s inadequate training facilities circled in 2024 when the women’s team were moved out of their Carrington training site and into temporary buildings to make way for the men’s first team.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments about the women’s team were also scrutinised. Speaking to the United We Stand fanzine, Ratcliffe described the men’s team as the “main issue” and referred to the women’s side as “girls” and “an opportunity”.

United also lost a number of key first-team members of staff.

Former assistant coach Martin Ho is now enjoying success as Tottenham manager and was joined by goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock in April, while another former assistant, Charlotte Healy, became head coach at WSL 2 club Bristol City last year.

Big-name players, including England duo Alessia Russo and Mary Earps, as well as Spain full-back Ona Batlle, were allowed to leave on free transfers.

This summer, they lost their star striker Melvine Malard to rivals Chelsea and are yet to sign a replacement, although the £850,000 fee will prove useful.

Given the talent at United’s disposal during their eight-year existence, it is understandable that questions have been asked over the club’s inability to keep hold of them.

For Lyttle, who worked with Charles at underage level with Northern Ireland, there was never any doubting his potential.

“Honestly, he is so calm, I actually haven’t seen him get out of second gear yet and that is no joke – there is even more in him,” Lyttle added in his 2021 interview with BBC Sport.

“He plays with such a calmness, sees a pass, breaks lines, is technically very good, can hit long and short and can compete physically. He is just a proper ball-playing centre-back and a real good kid as well.

“As he goes up the levels he needs to keep progressing, but from what I’ve seen of young Shea he definitely has all the attributes.”

It helped that he was learning from some of the best in the world. At Manchester City he had been training with the likes of Rodri and Fernandinho and was finally handed a Premier League chance in May 2023 by which stage he already had six international caps under his belt.

Pep Guardiola’s side had already wrapped up the Premier League title, and Charles made his City debut as a second-half substitute against Brentford on the final day of the season.

“When we train with the first team the standard is so high and we are always learning, every day,” Charles said in 2022.

“With the likes of Rodri and Fernandinho, it is tough but enjoyable.”

Shaw is a world-class competitor in a sport where the rewards may not make her wealthy.

“Obviously there’s football, Formula One… but I can’t think of many more sports where it is a case of ‘you’ve hit the top level and now you’re financially settled’,” she said.

Shaw is given what is called an ‘Athlete Performance Award’ (APA), a financial grant from UK Sport and the National Lottery that contributes towards her living and training costs.

There are different grades of support, external that athletes receive, depending on their results and prospect of medal-winning performances.

Shaw told BBC Sport that it was “very common” for athletes in sports like judo to have another source of income.

“The money I get [APA] covers my living expenses, which is a blessing and not to be taken for granted,” she said.

“But, for example, the next competition I’ve paid for myself because it wasn’t funded by British Judo.

“Going to Peru [for the Grand Prix] has cost me quite a bit of money and then I’m not really getting that back from anywhere else.

“I’m also a normal person! Like, I want to save for a house.”

Athletes can also earn money through sponsorships, something Shaw says would be a “game-changer” for an athlete at the present stage of her career.

“It just means you can take every single opportunity… put it towards competitions that I don’t get funded.”

Shaw also decided to set up a GoFundMe page at the start of the year, which she sees as a way of helping to fund her dream of going to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.