- Skinner insists Man Utd were better team despite 1-0 defeat
- Warns Brann they’ll "see at Leigh" in decisive second leg
- Calls on fans to fill stadium and create fierce atmosphere
مانشستر يونايتد controlled much of the game in Bergen, creating numerous chances through Ella Toone, Dominique Janssen and Jess Park. However, inspired goalkeeping from Selma Panengstuen and some wasteful finishing kept the score level until Ingrid Stenevik headed home 13 minutes from time. That goal secured Brann a 1-0 win and set up a tense return leg at Leigh Sports Village, and Red Devils boss Skinner has now fired a warning to the Norwegian side.
Speaking to the media, Skinner said: “We were the better team, but we didn’t win the game. We lost on a set piece, which is something we’ve got to be more aggressive with in the box. We created chances but just weren’t clinical enough. But let me be very clear: it’s half-time. Brann are celebrating like they’ve already won the tie – so let’s see when they come back to Leigh. Other than that, Phallon’s had nothing to do – and that’s European football. I’ve told the girls: don’t drop your shoulders. It’s halftime, and we can use all that energy against them next week when we play at home.
“Sometimes a team gets lucky – the ball doesn’t fall for you, and that’s okay, that’s football. That’s why you have two legs. Now we take them back to Leigh Sports Village, where we’ll need our fans to turn up in great numbers, be loud, and make it even tougher than it was here tonight. Let’s see if Brann can deal with that pressure, because at the end of the game they were already in the deepest of blocks. If we put them there early and are clinical, we’ll win the tie.
“I want to fill [Leigh Sports Village]. Come on, let’s get our Manchester energy against a European opponent, because that’s what we’ll need. Tonight, their crowd was like an extra player for them, and it helped them get the result. If we can do the same, we’ll make sure we go through. We’ll have to be at our very best, of course, but that’s what we’re aiming for. So come and fill the seats, get right behind us, and let’s get through to Europe together.”
This result means متحد‘s dream of reaching the Women’s دوري أبطال أوروبا group stage hangs in the balance. Their progress would mark a historic milestone, as the club have never previously competed in the main tournament. Brann, meanwhile, took full advantage of home support on a record-breaking night for women’s football in النرويج.
United must now win the second leg at Leigh Sports Village by at least two goals to guarantee progress. Skinner’s side will hope that home advantage, coupled with their attacking quality, will be enough to overturn the deficit. Failure to do so would leave them facing a major disappointment early in their European journey.
