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Conversations about Manchester United Women often tend to focus on what is happening off the pitch rather than on it - and last week was no different.
Speaking to the United We Stand fanzine, the club's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe described the men's team as the "main issue" and referred to the women's side as "girls" and "an opportunity".
Those comments were compounded by the sudden departure of United sporting director Dan Ashworth - an ally of the women's team and manager Marc Skinner.
Skinner's position has come under increased scrutiny this season, with criticism of the team's performances leading to calls for him to lose his job.
And fans have voiced a feeling the team is unloved by club bosses.
Ratcliffe may not have helped that when said there was "only so much you can do", though Skinner said he felt the club had a "love and affinity with our women's team".
But what impact have recent developments had?
Ashworth was United's sporting director for just five months, with his exit confirmed 90 minutes before Skinner's side kicked off their WSL win over Liverpool.
Skinner was only told that morning despite the decision being made the previous day, and Ashworth's absence from Leigh Sports Village was notable.
He played a key role in United's successful summer recruitment - with six players signed - and visited the women's team at training at the start of the campaign.
As well as working closely with Harvey Bussell - head of recruitment for the women's team - and interim head of women's football Matt Johnson, Ashworth had a good relationship with Skinner, and presented him with a commemorative shirt to mark his 100th game in charge.
"I didn't know any of the news," said Skinner after the 4-0 defeat of Liverpool. "My job was to concentrate on how we are on the field. I'm not privy to those decisions.
"I need to see what's gone on and then we'll have a better idea of where we're at."
United's plans are not yet known, but Skinner said Ashworth's departure would "probably not affect" recruitment, given Bussell and Johnson remain in place.
The women's team losing a boardroom ally is a concern for some supporters, though.
"It feels like nobody at Manchester United cares - it's all about money and they don't really understand how the fans feel," season ticket holder Natalie Burrell told BBC Sport.
"I understand when the men's team is up and running, the whole club will follow - but it shouldn't be about the men or the women. The whole club should be equal.
"[Ashworth] was someone who turned up regularly and was supporting the women's team. I do worry that now he has gone, has that ethos gone?"
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (second left) regularly attends men's matches at Old Trafford
Many hoped Ratcliffe's arrival would lead to increased focus on the women's team.
However, he was absent from their Women's FA Cup final victory and there was controversy in the summer when the women were moved out of their training facilities to make way for the men.
They are now at a refurbished training site, while money was spent in the transfer window - but Ratcliffe's comments this week have "disappointed" some fans.
In his interview with United We Stand,, external Ratcliffe said: "There's only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men's team. If not, you get spread too thinly.
"We need to sort out the main issue - the men's team. The women's team is an opportunity. Women's football is growing really quickly in popularity and size."
His comments came at a bad time for Skinner, who as well as criticism of his team's performances has faced regular questions about the state of the club.
"What I know about the club is that it has a love and affinity with our women's team," said Skinner. "I know that and I sense it every day I go into the training ground.
"I want us to focus on what we can control, which is the football. Away from it, I know we can be a massive part - and we are a massive part - of this football club."
Deborah Henry, who chairs the Manchester United Women's Supporters' Club, told BBC Sport the "comments are consistent" from the club but she hoped for more positive messages in the future.
"It's disappointing in that we want to hear more keenness to support the team in the way we, as fans, want it to be supported," she said.
"There is an understanding the men's team are the major money-makers and have to be prioritised. However, I think there is room for both to be looked at at the same time."
It's important to say it's not all doom and gloom at United.
They have six clean sheets so far in the WSL and fans were buoyed by their recruitment in the summer.
Burrell believes the team "are partially there".
"The women's team doesn't need a lot putting in to make it right," she said.
"There are things around the team they could add which are fairly simple. It's taking too long. I want them to get in a director of football for the women's team who knows what to do. They have recruited well. They need to retain players now."
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Radio 5 Live there are "huge opportunities" for United given their size and popularity.
"Imagine how big and how good they could be if the investment was there to the same weight as other clubs," he said.
"This is one of the biggest clubs in world football and the fact the women's team - as a concept - can't be perceived in the same way is a huge shame.
"The women I know are searching for equity, fairness, a chance to train somewhere that gives them the best chance to be successful."
Henry believes there is "a lot to be proven this year" but remains hopeful they can compete in the long term with the WSL's usual top three - Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
She added: "The fact remains the budget isn't there and that is something that can only be amended in a department that perhaps isn't ready to do it."
