"It was hardly thrilling and it was not the entertaining opening to life in the Women's Champions League that Manchester United might have hoped for but, more important than that, the English side got up and running with three points as they beat Valerenga in a low-key affair in Leigh. Maya Le Tissier's penalty kick was enough to beat the Norwegian side on Marc Skinner's team's debut in the league phase on a night that will enter the club's history books"
"Le Tissier calmly sent Tove Enblom the wrong way and then ran to slide on her knees in front of the home supporters in celebration. It was a rare moment that got the crowd off their feet in an otherwise fairly flat first half, with the turnout perhaps not quite befitting the occasion of the club's debut at this stage of the Champions League, albeit this is far from the glamour match in the league phase."
"Perhaps many home fans have decided to prioritise November's visit by Paris Saint-Germain to Old Trafford or OL Lyonnes the eight-time European champions who won at Arsenal on Tuesday over the side sitting second in the Norwegian top division. Nevertheless, this was a game United knew they had to win, if they wanted to show they have serious hopes of going deep into the knockout rounds, given the tougher tests that lie ahead for them."
Manchester United beat Valerenga 1-0 in their Women's Champions League group-stage debut, secured by captain Maya Le Tissier's penalty after Arna Eiriksdottir's handball. Le Tissier converted calmly and celebrated by sliding on her knees in front of the home supporters. The match was low-key and lacked sustained drama, producing a rare lively moment at the penalty. Attendance felt modest for a Champions League debut, with some fans perhaps prioritising upcoming visits by Paris Saint-Germain and OL Lyonnes. United viewed the fixture as a needed win to support ambitions of progressing deep into the knockout rounds. The game was played at a slower tempo than the recent Chelsea draw, allowing United more time on the ball.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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