Arriving in Edinburgh with little fanfare, Olid overhauled Hearts across five seasons at the helm.
Traditionally not among Scotland’s powerhouses, Hearts were sitting on top when she departed in May.
Her success was built on bold, front-foot football, most commonly a 3-4-3, with the goalkeeper asked to operate as an extra defender.
Hearts led the SWPL scoring charts last season with 85 goals—only Rangers, on 80, were close—so United’s attack of Ella Toone, Lea Schuller and Elisabeth Terland can expect plenty of service next term.
She also showed she could pivot. After four seasons without a win over Glasgow City, Olid set up more defensively in April and earned a 1-0 victory to move top of the table.
Following that match, she confirmed her intention to leave, saying she didn’t want to go without finally beating them.
Former Hearts captain Georgia Hunter, who traded Edinburgh for Ipswich this summer, was effusive in her praise of her former manager.
Hunter described Olid as an outstanding coach from whom she learned a great deal, lauding the way she transformed the squad and elevated the club.
Olid is also renowned for nurturing young talent—Erin and Jess Husband both debuted at 15 under her—and United have indicated that this will be central to her brief.
United’s director of women’s football, Matt Johnson, called her the ideal choice to lead a new era and said her philosophy aligns with the club’s commitment to developing homegrown and young players.
Having also spent time with Scotland’s women’s national team, Olid’s move into a high-profile role did not surprise BBC Sport Scotland’s Amy Canavan.
Canavan said they always believed she was destined for a major opportunity and that she fully merits this chance.