Match of the Day commentator Jacqui Oatley has insisted that it is a "real shame" that Manchester United do not have a women's football team.

The Premier League champions took the decision back in February 2005 to disband their female side - just three months before England was due to host the European Championships.

Having so far decided not to resurrect the team, Oatley has claimed that United "stands out like a sore thumb" for its lack of support towards the female game.

"It's great that Manchester City are taking [women's football] seriously. The one that stands out like a sore thumb is Manchester Unite. To quote the great Delia Smith, 'Where are you?,'" she told The Independent.

"It's a real shame that Manchester United decided to scrap their women's team right on the eve of England hosting the women's Euros in 2005. The news came out and Manchester United said see you later.

"But you don't need to be an accountant to see the figures in men's football, to see how little is required to have a decent women's set-up."

Oatley was speaking ahead of Euro 2013, which will get underway in Sweden tomorrow.