“Very hard to live through…”: Ex-United star Ona Batlle reveals why club spell was the worst moment in her career

Barcelona star Ona Batlle has detailed why her time with Manchester United was the most difficult time in her professional career. Batlle at United Batlle joined United in 2020 from Levante. Her outstanding performances caught the attention of United, who were building their squad after re-entering the WSL in 2019. Batlle put pen to paper on a two-year contract with an option to extend her stay by an additional 12 months. Her transition to life in England was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdown and restrictions on movement meant that Battle was isolated from both her family and new teammates. The defender made her United debut in September 2020 during a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard became a key member of the squad, netting her first goal in a 2–0 WSL win over Bristol City in February 2021. Batlle made 63 appearances for United during her three-year stint. She contributed five goals and nine assists in that period. She returned to Barcelona, where she has enjoyed a lot of success. The 26-year-old spoke to La Vanguardia and revealed the extent of her struggles at Leigh Sports Village. Batlle opens up She said [as quoted by SportWitness], “It was very hard to live through the pandemic there. Especially the first year; I had some very tough moments of loneliness. Not being able to come to Spain more than twice a year, my family could only visit for one or two days.” “I couldn’t get together with my teammates because of Covid, and it took me over a year to become fluent in English.” Asked whether it was the worst moment in her career, Batlle answered, “Yes, without a doubt. “There was a lot of loneliness, in another country… adapting is always difficult, but when you face it alone, it’s even harder. You go into football for everything, but you also have to live a life to have that happiness that then translates into your performance on the pitch.” “By finding ways to survive it, walking in parks, connecting with the friends I could. With Ivana Fuso, who was a fundamental pillar at Manchester United. I also spent a lot of time with Damaris (Egurrola), who was at Everton.” “Even so, there were many low moments when I needed to talk to someone.” Batlle revealed that she sought the help of a therapist, which massively improved her situation. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!