THERE”S just no pleasing some people. That’s how Manchester United must feel at the moment.

After months, years even, of football fans demanding they relaunch their women’s side, they did.

And some still found time to complain.

The Football Association has set up a system where a women’s side can apply to be in a division as opposed to working their way up the leagues.

It happened a few years ago when Manchester City made a successful bid to join the newly formed Women’s Super League (WSL).

Doncaster Rover Belles were harshly relegated to the Women’s Super League Two to make way for City.

Though they have gone on to become one of England’s most dominant sides, there was uproar that Belles were booted out of the top division.

Fast forward to 2018 and United potentially joining the new Women’s Championship has bent people’s noses out of shape.

Ignoring the fact that many have spent the last few years begging the Red Devils to challenge City and Chelsea for the WSL title, now they are on the path to doing it people want them to start out at the very bottom.

There isn’t anything wrong with that. This time last week I was licking my lips at the prospect of FC United of Manchester taking on United in North West Women’s Regional League Division One South.

But United aren’t breaking any rules by starting one division below the top-flight.

And yes, it will be a massive shame that another team will miss out. But Lewes FC, a team that could miss out on playing WSL football next season because of United, are happy a new side has joined the game.

Perhaps they feel that the quality of players will filter down and many could end up at Lewes. In that situation everyone wins.

However, for every Lewes there will be a club that are furious with United jumping the queue. Though you can’t blame the red side of Manchester for that.

The finger should be pointed at the FA for creating this system. And what about some of the newer women’s sides, the ones that have been around for two decades applying for a place in the Championship ahead of some of the older clubs like Sheffield?

There has been little to no backlash against them.

While there is a minority that want the FA to reject their application, we all know that isn’t going to happen and United playing in the Championship next season is a mere formality.

It’s now or never for United to join the women’s game. And many feel that part of the reason they are choosing to come in now is because they are starting so high up.

Those in charge at the Manchester club won’t want to take on Leyton Orient and Norwich in the Premier Division.

The top players around the globe won’t want to sign for a club that are eight promotions away from the WSL.

United will feel entitled to be sitting at the top table and may even feel disrespected that a club of their stature is being forced to battle it out for promotion — especially when the neighbours down the road didn’t have to go through this.

But regardless of all that, United eventually saw sense and the women’s game will reap the rewards.

There’s no denying that all eyes will be on the development of this team, even fans of the men’s side will be intrigued as to what is going on and it will hopefully bring more eyes to the club. 

Plus there will be a massive sense of what could have been. Imagine promising goalkeeper Emily Ramsey staying at United and not having had to leave for Liverpool.

What if Lianne Sanderson got her dream move and played for the club she has supported since she was a child?

Manchester City’s Izzy Christiansen would be wearing red instead of blue had there had been an adult side.

There are too many scenarios to go through individually but had United not disbanded their women’s side in 2005, there is little doubt they would have built an extremely strong side challenging for the WSL and potentially Champions League.

This is why starting in the Championship is best for them. It gives the club a chance to find their feet and gel in a lower division.

There would be less need to open a blank cheque book and buy a squad capable of competing in the WSL side. More opportunities will hopefully be given to the players coming through the academy.

One thing I hope the United women’s team is able to do is bring in their own sponsors. Liverpool have done it with Avon and, given the amount of companies that want to be involved with the Manchester side, Ed Woodward must negotiate separate deals for the new club.

It would be the easiest way to make the club self-sustainable and show other clubs that it is doable. Not to mention the last thing United will want is the women’s side stopping the men from spending £200 million per season on more mercenaries so the sooner they bring in their own money the better.

I for one am looking forward to what United do over the next few years. The first Manchester derby is going to be an amazing occasion and if the FA can work out a way where both the men’s and women’s derbies are on the same day, that is going to be a must-watch day of football.

Who knows, United joining may force the BBC and other television companies to invest more in the women’s game.

They will certainly be more interested and while I want the WSL show to stay on free to air TV, Sky Sports may want a piece of action, especially when they can show Manchester United v Manchester City on the same day in two different competitions.

A bidding war for the right to show women’s football is the investment the game needs, as long as the money is given straight back to the teams and grassroots movement.

Last weekend, despite there being no live Premier League games, Birmingham v Liverpool in the WSL was only shown on Facebook live. The FA cup games weren’t broadcast live.

That would have been the perfect opportunity to get the women’s game on TV and attract bigger audiences.

Once United take a seat at the table, this could all change. Last week’s announcement has the chance to revolutionise the WSL and wider women’s game, such is the drawing power of Manchester United Football Club.