New England boss Phil Neville will encourage former club Manchester United to launch a women's team

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Phil Neville has called on Manchester United to form a women's team as he stated his ambition to raise the profile of the female game.

The 41-year-old started his role in charge of England on Monday and his enthusiasm for the role has not been dulled by the storm that erupted after some old sexist tweets re-emerged when he was appointed last Tuesday.

Neville insists he was 'the best man' to take the Lionesses to the top of the world rankings and maintains this job is not a stepping stone.

Man United are the only PL club without a women's team but Phil Neville wants that to change

'I believe people are genuinely excited about the appointment,' said Neville, who has signed a four-year deal. 'The players are the most important aspect to me and they are excited. There is a thirst to learn.'

He recognises changes need to be made to increase the popularity and profile of the sport and Neville believes it would be a huge fillip if United — the club with whom he won five Premier League titles and the Champions League — joined the women's ranks.

United are the only club in the Premier League who do not have a women's team and the club said last August they were 'monitoring the situation'.

'I will be encouraging them,' said Neville. 'They have a fantastic community programme for female players and coaches.

'When they do set out their women's team it will be one to challenge City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool. A club of the size of United should be the leaders, the pioneers. I am sure they are working to do that.'

Neville will be assisted by Casey Stoney, who won 129 caps for England, and will have the rest of his staff in place by the end of the week.

Their first game is on March 1 against France in Ohio, in the SheBelieves Cup.

England boss Neville, who played for United for over 11 years, said: 'I will be encouraging them'