Former England women's goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis says Manchester United not having a ladies football team is 'shocking'

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A former England goalkeeper has labelled it 'shocking' that Manchester United do not have a women's team - in a situation 'under review' at Old Trafford.

Rachel Brown-Finnis who won 82 caps for the Three Lionesses' between 1997 and 2013 has slammed one of the world's biggest and richest football clubs for not running a female side. 

The Old Trafford outfit have been without a women's team since 2005, when their team was disbanded just before the north-west hosted the women's European Championship.

Rachel Brown-Finnis has called it shocking Manchester United don't field a female XI

Near neighbours Manchester City's consistent support of women's football has increased the scrutiny on United, whose lack of team angers Brown-Finnis, who can list Everton and Arsenal on her CV.

The Burnley-born 36-year-old told BBC Sport: 'I think it's shocking in 2017, a club the size of Manchester United, does not have a women's team.

'What's even worse is they will not properly explain their position.

Keeper Brown-Finnis was England No 1 and was between the posts at the 2007 World Cup

'Look around the world and every other major football club has a women's team, or plans for one. 

'Two of the biggest, men's Champions League finalists Real Madrid and Juventus, are about to set up theirs.

'Most of those teams are fully integrated with the rest of the club and being backed financially too - a few miles from Old Trafford, for example, Manchester City's commitment to their women's side is clear.'

Back in 2013 former Red Devils manager David Moyes revealed they were reviewing the decision to disband the women's team, with the club confirming they are looking at the situation again.

A United spokesperson said: 'While there are no current plans for a senior women's team, it is a matter that is under review and a detailed analysis is currently being undertaken.

'The Manchester United Foundation runs a number of programmes for young females in schools and communities across Greater Manchester and is also partnered with the South Manchester Girls Football League, developing girls' football at a grassroots level.

Brown-Finnis (far right) was part of the BBC coverage team for the 2015 women's World Cup

'Our foundation also manages FA tier 1 girls' regional talent club - providing opportunities for girls to play football at the highest level with the aim of developing international players.'

United have also explained that players receive intensive training and support, along with the chance to compete against other clubs from both across the north-west and nationally in competitions.

Southampton are the only other Premier League side without an affiliated women's team, but the South Coast club are putting a structure in place with the intention of fielding a female side in the Women's Super League.

Southampton Saints had been under the club's umbrella until the men's side were relegated from the top flight in 2005 - but the Saints are now promising to launch a women's football team as part of their deal with shirt providers Under Armour.

Last month Southampton announced the creation of a new under-21s team for the 2017/18 season, with the club eventually targeting a place in the WSL.

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger wants a Saints ladies side in Women's Super League 

Saints chairman Ralph Krueger said: 'It's a beautiful new addition to the club, a great new dimension.

'It's not lip service - everybody is having fun with it. The energy of the women and the girls when they're training is so wonderful.

'We want to make this a successful project. We want that academy to really breed players for eventually the English national squad and we want to get into the Women's Super League and be competitive there.'