Manchester United Women started their inaugural UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign with a 1-0 home win over Norwegian side Valerenga on Wednesday. Captain Maya Le Tissier stepped up and scored from
the spot after the half-hour mark to put the Reds in front, the only goal for the Reds despite dominating possession and creating five big chances in the match.
Manager Marc Skinner opted for a two-striker approach with Melvine Malard and Elisabeth Terland forming a partnership up top. Both players got plenty of opportunities in front of goal, but neither found the scoresheet.
Malard got close just before the penalty, following the play up the left wing before charging onto the end of a pass from Julia Zigiotti Olme. The summer addition has been a positive force in midfield for the Reds, and put her passing and tempo control on display again on Wednesday. This pass in particular went just beyond Malard, who went down looking for a penalty after contact from the defender.
It wasn’t long before the Reds were awarded a spot kick for a foul, which Le Tissier calmly converted.
Defensively, there was little to worry about for the Reds. Phallon Tullis-Joyce made just one save in the entire match, getting down low to her right to deny a shot from Norwegian league top scorer Olaug Tvedten. The chance came and went quickly for the visitors, and would be their last real look at goal on the night.
It wasn’t the best display from United, but a win is a win, and those are hard to come by in Europe. The schedule heats up next week with a trip to face Atletico Madrid, followed in November by matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Wolfsburg.
The Reds return to Women’s Super League Action this Sunday at Everton.
