Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has challenged the squad to "go and create history" as the team prepare for the second leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, where United must overturn a 3-2 deficit at Allianz Arena to reach the last four.
The tie remains finely balanced after the first leg at Old Trafford, where Bayern Munich forward Penille Harder scored twice and moved to seven Women's Champions League goals for the season, a total bettered only by Arsenal forward Alessia Russo, who has eight goals in this campaign's competition.
Skinner underlined belief in Manchester United before Wednesday's trip, despite the narrow first-leg loss. "I believe in this team," said the United boss. Skinner felt
the performance at Old Trafford had troubled Bayern Munich, but lacked the final touch in attack when promising moves reached the penalty area.
Explaining those frustrations, Skinner argued that decision making near goal had denied Manchester United a bigger first-leg score. "The only thing missing [which stopped] Bayern from having a really tough night at Old Trafford was a little bit of composure in the final third. " "There were two or three passes that we missed that would have created goalscoring opportunities, so we have to sharpen up on that. "
Bayern Munich hold an impressive record in the Women's Champions League against English visitors, with five wins from five home fixtures, including two victories over Chelsea and three against Arsenal, so Manchester United must become the first English side to take a positive away result from Bayern in this competition.
History also shows the scale of Manchester United's task after losing at home in the first leg. Ten English clubs have previously been beaten at home in the opening match of a Women's Champions League knockout tie, and only one team then advanced, when Arsenal turned a 2-1 home defeat into a 4-1 away win at Lyon in last season's semi-finals.
Skinner stressed that Manchester United understand both the challenge and the opportunity that Bayern Munich present in this Women's Champions League quarter-final. "We know what we have to do. We have to come in and silence a fantastic arena with brilliant fans, and we have to go and create history. "
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Women's Champions League: Bayern Munich and Manchester United players reflect
Bayern Munich defender Giulia Gwinn looked forward to another major European night in Munich, but was careful to stress that the hosts will not underestimate Manchester United in this Women's Champions League tie or assume progress is already secure despite the away win in the first leg.
Describing the atmosphere at Allianz Arena, Gwinn highlighted the energy the squad gain from playing Bayern Munich Women's Champions League matches in front of home supporters. "It's the greatest thing to play Champions League football in front of our own fans," said Gwinn. "We are very strong as a team. "
Gwinn also outlined Bayern Munich's mindset before facing Manchester United in the second leg, pointing to both confidence and caution. "We are not afraid, but we have a healthy respect for United. " "We know what we are capable of, and we will not abandon each other on the pitch. " "Everyone is on board; everyone knows what is at stake. "
With Bayern Munich protecting a one-goal advantage and perfect home record against English clubs, and Manchester United drawing belief from Skinner's conviction and Arsenal's example from last season, the Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg in Munich promises a decisive test of both teams' resilience and big-match decision making.
