Maya Le Tissier’s first half penalty got Manchester United’s debut Champions League campaign off to a winning start against a subdued Vålerenga at Leigh Sports Village.
It was a quiet but comfortable night for Marc Skinner’s side who enjoyed plenty of possession, dominating the ball throughout and captain Le Tissier’s composed strike from the spot sent Tove Enblom the wrong way to secure all three points.
United will be delighted to have kickstarted their UWCL league phase with a win, especially as their English counterparts in the competition Chelsea, and defending champions Arsenal, failed to do so.
And despite the narrow scoreline, United put on a professional display stringing together some clever passages of play to drive forward as they were patient in their approach at breaking down a compact Vålerenga defence.
True to form however, United were not especially clinical in attack, with Melvine Malard wasting a handful of decent chances. But their patience was rewarded when the rub of the green awarded them a penalty.
Referee Ewa Augustyn’s harsh ruling of an Arna Eiriksdottir handball in 31st minute gifted Le Tissier the chance to neatly bury away her spot kick.
Jess Park could have doubled the lead early in the second half before attempting to tee up Elisabeth Terland, but Vålerenga’s unwavering discipline in defence made it difficult for United to put the game beyond doubt.
With minutes to go a late effort flew in from Vålerenga subsitute Elise Thorsnes. The Norway international burst into the penalty area but dragged her shot wide at the far post. United’s lack of cut-throat decisiveness in attack almost cost them, but they held firm to see out the danger.
Starting XIs:
Manchester United (4-3-1-2): Tullis Joyce; Sandberg, Le Tissier (C), Janssen, Riviere; Zigiotti Olme, Miyazawa, Toone; Park; Malard, Terland
Vålerenga (3-4-3): Enblom; Horte, Kovacs, Eiriksdottir; Tennebo, Vickius, Inauen, Heioarsdottir; Hegg, Saevik, Tvedten
Featured image courtesy of Steven Taylor.