European journey just beginning for ‘history makers’ Man Utd

Manchester United’s journey is just beginning.

They have played four qualifying matches to become the Women’s Champions League’s main draw for the first time, but they don’t want to stop there.

Elisabeth Terland’s hat-trick helped Marc Skinner’s side defeat Brann 3-1 on Thursday night, but they will need to move up a gear when they face the elite of Europe in the new-look competition.

It presents a new challenge for United to evaluate their squad depth, Skinner’s rotation, how they handle long distance trips and competing with better-quality opponents.

“We create history, and that’s really important,” she said. I told the players that we couldn’t just enter the draw and calculate the numbers, Skinner said.

“We are very excited to play against Europe’s best teams,” says the team. You must perform against them if you want to go there.

Manchester United, which underwent only a minor overhaul of its women’s team in 2018, placed third in the Women’s Super League (WSL) last year before reaching the Champions League qualifying round in 2023. Paris St-Germain beaten by United.

Although PSV, Hammarby, and Brann were perceived as easier opponents this year, United still needed to overcome a 1-0 deficit in the third qualifying round against Norwegian side Brann.

In the main draw on Friday (11:00 BST), they will face WSL champion Chelsea and European champion Arsenal, and Skinner hopes nobody will want to face United.

If you play against us, the team will likely think, “Hmm, that’s tricky for us,” he continued.

To enter the main draw, I simply believe it was now or never. It was necessary for us to do it. We had the necessary quality, in my opinion.

I want to go through it,” she said. I want to take on the best teams in the European championships.

United have so far managed their busy schedule, winning two of their opening WSL games and advancing through four European qualifying matches.

Skinner hopes that the challenges of playing in the Champions League will be overcome by Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti, who have both managed for the United States and have long-distance travel.

Before joining United in August, Rolfo won two European titles with Barcelona, including three Champions League titles.

However, Skinner claims United will need to shop again in January to advance in the market despite the improvement.

“We’re looking forward to it despite being a whole new challenge. As we added that, “we have the players who have that experience,” Skinner said.

There is no denying that we need a bigger squad. But I am at this moment in no way able to stop it. It is being welcomed by the players.

United have a player who appears prepared for the Champions League at Terland.

She scored with both feet and a header to complete a flawless hat-trick at Leigh Sports Village on Thursday.

She is one of the best finishers I’ve ever worked with. We simply placed her in appropriate spaces, “said Skinner.

The keeper doesn’t notice the first goal before it disappears into the net because it’s a snapshot. She fires quickly and has a very short backlift, which surprises everyone.

She has a brilliant mind in the box. She thinks constantly, which is precisely what she does.

Skinner claimed that when she returned to Norway after losing their first-leg match against Brann, Terland played for Brann between 2021 and 2022.

But she reacted decisively and silencing a small group of Brann fans who were traveling with her ruthless second-leg performance.

She seemed angry, I believe. Perhaps she needs to wind up a little bit. She responded, “I’m really proud of her tonight,” Skinner said.

To accept those goals demonstrates her level of play. Although it may have had an impact on her a little bit too much, responding to it as she has has demonstrates to you that she can overcome psychological strains.