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Emily Keogh
LEIGH, England — Manchester United embraces their underdog status. Their aim is to secure as many victories as possible in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and their debut couldn’t have gone better—they were the only team from the Women’s Super League (WSL) to achieve an opening day win, thanks to captain Maya Le Tissier.
In contrast, WSL champions Chelsea managed only a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Netherlands, reflecting ongoing challenges in the final third. Meanwhile, defending champions Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to OL Lyonnes, the same team they defeated in last season’s semifinals.
Manchester United, however, kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Valerenga, with Le Tissier scoring the decisive penalty.
Le Tissier has solidified her role as a key player for United since joining in 2022, boasting a remarkable streak of 71 consecutive starts in the WSL—the highest in the league. As captain, she has been instrumental in leading the team.
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Le Tissier also cherishes the romantic allure of the Champions League. After experiencing the deep disappointment of a qualifying loss to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, her emotions ran high as she celebrated reaching the group stage by defeating SK Brann. “This is where you want to be, playing in the Champions League. It means the world to us. It’s been a long journey, especially for Tooney [Ella Toone], who has been here for about 10 years. We’ve worked hard for this, and we deserve to be here, so getting that first win tonight is truly special,” Le Tissier expressed after the match.
Leading her team in the Champions League final, akin to her FA Cup final captaincy, is a dream come true for Le Tissier. She was visibly emotional post-match, shedding tears as she thanked the traveling fans—a deep mix of joy and pent-up frustration from her England career, where she has received only eight caps despite her stellar club performance.
Le Tissier’s defensive prowess will be vital as United aim for a playoff spot, providing leadership and composure to stabilize the team, especially during tough moments. Their initial matchup against Valerenga—despite being a team from the previous group stage—was a favorable opportunity for United to gather points.
Although labeled as underdogs and coping with a smaller, injury-affected squad, United remains unperturbed. They are focused on accumulating wins rather than worrying about being underestimated, aiming to place among the top 12 teams for playoff qualification.
This match presented a prime opportunity for United to rack up points early in the competition. While the tournament has just begun, they are currently ahead of their WSL counterparts, Fortified in the playoff zone. Every point is vital as the new structure has already produced unexpected outcomes and missed chances. They could not have hoped for a more promising debut.
However, there are persistent concerns, particularly their ongoing difficulty in converting chances. While they generated a significant number of opportunities, their finishing has often let them down. Out of 16 attempts, only seven were on target, showcasing a stark contrast to Valerenga’s minimal threat of two shots with one on goal.
The risk of failing to capitalize on their chances could prove detrimental as they encounter tougher opponents. United faces Atlético Madrid next week, a team that scored six goals against St. Pölten in their opener, which highlights the urgency for United to secure a broader margin next time out. They’ll subsequently face heavyweights like PSG, VfL Wolfsburg, OL Lyonnes, and Juventus, all of whom will demand a strong defensive effort and proficient finishing from Manchester United.
While the early extra points ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal might even out later, they could prove pivotal for playoff positions in the end.
With various challenges ahead—international travel, demanding match schedules, and the task of maintaining squad fitness—Manchester United has sent a clear message: they are ready to compete in the Champions League instead of merely meeting expectations of being at the bottom of the table.