Manchester United Faces Setback in UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers
In the first leg of the third-round qualifiers for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Manchester United finds themselves trailing SK Brann 1-0 after a challenging match in Bergen. Brann secured their lead in the 77th minute, scoring with only their third shot of the match. The goal came from a well-executed free kick by Signe Gaupset, which was expertly headed in by Ingrid Stevenik.
Manchester United’s Journey to the Qualifiers
Manchester United had earlier advanced to this stage by decisively defeating PSV 4-0 and narrowly overcoming Hammarby 1-0. However, despite enjoying the majority of possession and controlling the game, the Manchester side struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Notably, Ella Toone had two prime chances to give United an early advantage, but both attempts were unsuccessful. The first half saw additional missed opportunities that the team failed to capitalize on.
Match Highlights and Challenges
The second half began with promise as Melvine Malard nearly found the net, yet an inaccurate connection left the opportunity slipping away. Meanwhile, in a curious twist, several pairs of United players’ boots were reported missing during transit, though replacements were sourced in time for the match. Selma Panengstuen, the Brann goalkeeper, faced considerable pressure, notably recovering from an early falter when she spilled a shot from Dominique Janssen, only to subsequently deny Jess Park from scoring on the follow-up.
Manager’s Concerns and Future Outlook
United’s manager, Marc Skinner, faced challenges with team depth due to injuries affecting new signing Fridolina Rolfö and forwards Rachel Williams and Leah Galton. Additionally, the departure of Grace Clinton to Manchester City has raised concerns about squad rotation for the upcoming matches. The team is determined to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Leigh Sports Village next week. Achieving a comeback would secure their first ever place in the Champions League, as their previous attempt in 2023 ended in defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
