Manchester United return to Leigh Sports Village on Thursday with one objective: win by at least two goals. Their 1–0 defeat in Bergen was a frustrating lesson in margins. Despite dominating large spells of the game, they were undone by a single set piece and must now respond with ruthlessness if they are to reach the UWCL league phase for the first time.
First Leg: A Game of Missed Chances and a Brutal Lesson
In Bergen, United looked the sharper team for long stretches. They controlled possession, pressed high, and forced Brann into retreat. But when chances fell, they lacked the finishing edge. Melvine Malard and Ella Toone both tested the goalkeeper, and Elisabeth Terland went close with a header, yet the breakthrough never came.
Instead, it was Brann who struck. A free-kick delivery from the right found Ingrid Stenevik unmarked, and her header slipped past the United defence and into the net. A quiet home crowd of over 16,000 erupted, and suddenly the momentum had shifted.
For United, the final whistle cut deep. They had been composed, superior in most departments, and yet had lost. It was their first goal conceded all season—and a reminder that in Europe, clinical finishing and defensive discipline are non-negotiable.
Tactical Adjustments & Home Advantage
United now have the advantage of home turf, where they recently dispatched London City Lionesses 5–1. That performance, full of tempo, movement and goals, was a blueprint of what’s needed against Brann. But European ties come with added pressure.
Millie Turner remains a doubt due to a knee issue. Her absence would be a blow—not just for her defensive reliability, but for her leadership on set pieces, the very area where United were exposed in the first leg.
There are positive signs, though. Malard is in sensational form, scoring four goals in her last two domestic games. Rolfo is likely to start following her impact off the bench at the weekend. And with the crowd behind them, United should find the intensity required.
Manager Marc Skinner has emphasised the need for composure in the box and discipline without the ball. Expect changes in set-piece marking and perhaps a slight tweak in midfield balance to ensure better control of transitions.
Brann’s Gameplan: Sit Deep, Strike Late
Brann will arrive in Manchester with a clear plan: defend their lead, disrupt United’s rhythm, and hope for one or two moments to break. They succeeded with that exact blueprint in the first leg.
Their goalkeeper, Selma Panengstuen, was outstanding in Bergen. She will be key again. So too will be their central defenders, who will need to withstand wave after wave of pressure.
But Brann are not just a defensive side. They are dangerous from dead balls and well-drilled on counters. If United overcommit or lose concentration on second balls, the Norwegians can punish them.
A 0–0 draw would be enough to see Brann through. That makes the first 30 minutes crucial. The longer they hold out, the more the pressure will mount on the hosts.
Key Players to Watch
Melvine Malard is the in-form forward in England right now. Her movement and finishing could be the difference on the night. If she finds space between the lines or is fed service from wide areas, she’ll test Brann’s back line.
Defensively, whether or not Millie Turner starts could dictate United’s stability at the back. If she doesn’t feature, Hannah Blundell or Maya Le Tissier may take on more organisational responsibility.
Brann will lean heavily on their goalkeeper and the midfield composure of Signe Gaupset, whose deliveries are their primary weapon.
Prediction & What’s at Stake
United need to strike early. A goal in the opening 20–25 minutes could rattle Brann and tilt the tie. The longer they go without scoring, the more vulnerable they become—not just tactically, but mentally.
Expect United to press high, recycle the ball quickly and overload the flanks. If Malard and Terland can convert their chances, and if the midfield can control second balls, the tie should swing back in their favour.
But one defensive lapse, one well-placed corner from Brann, and everything changes. United must not just attack—they must be flawless.
Failure to reach the UWCL league phase would be a major setback. Success would place them in elite company and keep their European ambitions alive.