- Rolfo to miss دوري أبطال أوروبا qualifiers
- Ex-Barca star is Man Utd’s marquee summer signing
- Updates on fitness Clinton & more also provided
Marc Skinner’s side will face نادي بي إس في آيندهوفن on August 27, with the winner then likely to take on Hammarby, who made the group stages last term, three days later for a place in the second round of UWCL qualifying. It’s a tricky draw for Man Utd and it looks like they are set to be without at least one of their biggest stars for the challenge, if not more.
The Red Devils were without a number of notable names for Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with ليفربول in their latest pre-season friendly and it will have concerned fans to see all of Rolfo, Grace Clinton, Leah Galton, Melvine Malard and Rachel Williams absent. Speaking about those missing after the game, Skinner explained that while most of those players should be back soon, Rolfo is “probably a few weeks away yet”.
“Mel was a little bit of a hip [issue]. Hopefully [she] will be back for the PSV game,” Skinner said, rattling through the absentees. “Leah, we’re just watching. [She] may be back for the PSV game, and I look at Fridolina, she’s just come in so we’re assessing her. She’d had a knock when she was going into the Euros, so we’re just making sure she’s healthy and she’s probably a few weeks away yet – but we’d rather treat her carefully as she’s going to be an excellent signing. Grace had a little niggle, so we’re just protecting her as well, and obviously Rach has been back on the field.”
There was some positive news on Wednesday, though, as Millie Turner returned to action. The centre-back was in contention for إنجلترا‘s squad at Euro 2025 before suffering a foot fracture at the end of May which ruled her out of the tournament before the squad was revealed. She came off the bench in the 2-2 draw in what is a boost to the Red Devils ahead of next week’s big games.
“All in all, they’re coming back,” Skinner said. “There’s nothing really sinister. We’re just going to make sure, especially at the start of the season, we don’t risk too many people too soon, but they’ll be ready in the next few weeks and they’ll help us massively.”
Skinner will hope many of those with niggles can get back on the pitch as soon as possible, with the clash with PSV less than a week away. متحد have never made it past the second qualifying round in the Women’s Champions League but will be desperate to do so this year.
