Provided is a method for manufacturing a shell of a wind turbine blade having improved leading edge erosion protection, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) providing a preform of the shell, (b) providing a protective cover for protection of the shell, (c) arranging the protective cover at a portion of a leading edge of the shell, so that an erosion protected shell is obtained, and (d) casting the erosion protected shell, so that the shell of the wind turbine blade having the improved erosion protection is obtained. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the wind turbine blade and to a shell, a wind turbine blade and a wind turbine.