Manchester United began their Women’s Champions League campaign with a narrow but memorable 1-0 victory over Norwegian side Vålerenga, thanks to a decisive penalty from captain Maya Le Tissier. The win, though far from spectacular, ensured United marked their first-ever appearance in the league phase with three vital points.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half after Arna Eiríksdóttir handled inside the box. Le Tissier, showing composure and leadership, stepped up to calmly send goalkeeper Tove Enblom the wrong way. Her knee-slide celebration before the home crowd reflected the significance of the moment—a dream fulfilled for a player who had long aspired to feature in Europe’s premier competition.
Manager Marc Skinner praised his captain’s composure and influence, describing her as “a rock” and noting that it was fitting she scored the club’s first goal in the main draw. The atmosphere at Leigh’s Progress With Unity Stadium, while historic, lacked the energy expected for such an occasion. Many fans may have chosen to wait for the upcoming glamour ties against Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, but those in attendance witnessed an important step in United’s European journey.
United controlled much of the game, with early chances falling to Elisabeth Terland and Melvine Malard before the penalty. Jess Park also impressed, linking up effectively with Ella Toone and Terland, though she missed a golden opportunity early in the second half when her shot was blocked by Enblom.
Despite their dominance, United struggled to find a second goal, allowing Vålerenga to stay in contention. The visitors nearly equalised late on through Elise Thorsnes, whose effort went narrowly wide, but United held firm to secure the win.
With the top four teams from the 18-team league progressing automatically to the quarter-finals, Skinner highlighted the importance of the result. He suggested nine to twelve points could be enough to qualify, making this opening win a crucial foundation for their European ambitions.
