Manchester United Women have two wins and two clean sheets through two UEFA Women’s Champions League matches.
Sure, they were both 1-0 wins, and perhaps United could have done more to get some goals flowing,
but for a team making its Champions League group stage debut it’s hard to ask for much more.
As frustrating and defensive as manager Marc Skinner’s approach can be, it has worked so far, and on Thursday, it provided an emergency solution to what could have become a nasty loss.
Things were all going according to plan in the first half. The Reds had found themselves 1-0 up and creating the more dangerous chances despite Atleti’s possession, but a shocking red card decision against Dominique Janssen spelled a sudden sense of doom. The Spanish hosts saw one effort blocked on the line in a scramble by Phallon Tullis Joyce and a penalty shout was reviewed but dismissed by the VAR before the Reds could catch their breath at half-time.
What followed was a nervy second half, but a professional one from United’s defense. As exhausting as it can be to only win 1-0, it still provides the three points needed for United to try and secure passage to the next round of the competition. The defensive display warranted the win, and Skinner acknowledged as much.
“I think Atleti are a very good team, so in order to stop them, we need to be excellent at keeping clean sheets,” he said. “We’re very, very good at defending. We knew it would be difficult for them, and we thought we could catch them on the counter.”
United’s only loss this season was a 1-0 first leg defeat to Brann in the qualification round. A second leg win, four wins and two draws in Women’s Super League play, and now two group stage wins have the Reds undefeated otherwise, and playing a confident style of football. They can create and score when they need to, and they keep teams out when they need to. Golden Glove winner PTJ continues to deliver, and the back line led by captain Maya Le Tissier offers an excellent barrier in front of her.
It’s still early, but things are looking up for United.
