United Women suffer hammer blow to CL hopes with damaging 0-0 draw with Spurs

Manchester United Women had their Champions League hopes dented with a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur Women. First half Tottenham Hotspur started the game the strongest and Signe Gaupset’s shot from outside the area was blocked by the United defence. On 13 minutes, Cathinka Tandberg was the next to test the United defence, but they once again managed to block the goal-bound effort. Tandberg once again threatened the United goal, but her header drifted just wide of the post as United were holding on for dear life. It took until the 24th minute for the away side to have a shot, but Jess Park fired high and wide when presented with a good opportunity. Ella Morris almost opened the scoring for the hosts from a corner just before half-time, but her effort once again missed the target. Phallon Tullis-Joyce was called into action with a fine stop to deny the dangerous Tandberg from a headed chance. The whistle blew and Marc Skinner’s side entered the half-time break very much second best. Second half United started the second half more sharply, and Fridolina Rolfö had an effort blocked after being assisted by Jess Park. Olivia Holdt was next to test United’s American keeper, but she was once again up to the task as she parried away her effort. On 56 minutes, Melvine Malard thought she had opened the scoring for the Red Devils, but her shot was plucked out of the corner by Lize Kop. The Frenchwoman had another effort soon after, but her header was easily collected by the keeper. After 67 minutes, United were once again grateful for Tullis-Joyce as she plucked another Tottenham Hotspur effort, this time from Matilda Vinberg, out of the top corner. Ella Toone made her long-awaited return, and she almost scored in her first game back, but her effort was well stopped by Kop. United pushed for a winner, knowing a draw would do little for their European ambitions, and Park’s effort was well saved by the Tottenham Hotspur keeper. Despite United’s best efforts, it was Tottenham Hotspur who almost grabbed a late winner. Lenna Gunning-Williams’ left-footed effort almost secured the win, but Tullis-Joyce had other ideas. The game ended 0-0 in a devastating blow to United’s Champions League hopes. They will next be in action on Saturday when they entertain Brighton & Hove Albion in the final home game of the season. Phallon Tullis-Joyce stats vs Tottenham Hotspur StatValue Total saves5 Saves from inside box3 Punches2 High claims0 Key passes0 Crosses (accurate)0 (0) Accurate passes15/29 (52%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)2/8 (25%) Passes in own half (acc.)13/21 (62%) Long balls (accurate)9/22 (41%) Touches43 Dribbles (successful)0 (0) Possession lost14 Total carrying distance38.7 m Carries6 Total progression13.7 m Def. contributions4 Tackles (won)0 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances4 Blocked shots0 Recoveries11 Ground duels (won)0 (0) Aerial duels (won)1 (1) Dribbled past0 Total shots0 Shots on target0 Shots blocked0 Source: Sofascore Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.