“You don’t really see them”: Marc Skinner sets out exactly what United Women must do to overcome Brann

Manchester United Women’s coach Marc Skinner has claimed that his side want to take SK Brann out of their comfort zone.

His side will take on the Norwegians in Bergen at 18:00 BST in the first leg of the third round of qualification for the Champions League.

Further injury update

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Skinner confirmed that Gabby George and Fridolina Rolfö would be unable to take part in the match but could be involved at the weekend.

He also confirmed that Rachel Williams would likely be back “towards the end of next week. Simi (Awujo) is around three weeks away, also Leah (Galton) was training yesterday, doing individual sessions. I’m hoping, within the next three weeks, we’ll have everyone back and everyone ready to play.”

Hannah Blundell return

Skinner also confirmed that defender Blundell who had been out of action after the birth of her child would be making a competitive return with the Under-21s.

He added, “Tom [her partner] and baby Romi will be here to watch. It’s at Carrington so she’ll be playing, I think, up to 60 minutes today. We leave here at 2:20pm and we’re all going to watch the first half, so we’ve managed to move the game early enough so we can go and watch. So I think she’ll have a lot of supporters on the side, welcoming her back.”

Wanting to make Brann uncomfortable

Commenting on his side’s opponents he stated, “it’s hard because when you watch most of their games, because they’re such a dominant team in Norway, they tend to have a lot of the ball. So, you don’t really see them defend that much. We know about Signe Gaupset in midfield but their frontline can be really aggressive, and they play a good style of football. So, this will be a difficult tie.”

Skinner warned that the side are well aware of Brann’s qualities and they know that they will need to be full of energy.

He also commented on the “raucous atmosphere” that awaits them but his team’s experience facing Swedish side Hammarby will have prepared them for that.

Elisabeth Terland return

Skinner also explained how important it was to feed Terland, who has scored five goals already this season, and that she is desperate to score against her former side.

He asserted, “it’s a nice story she’s going back and of course Lisa [Naalsund] is as well, but she’s ultra professional. She’ll have all of those feelings, but she’ll subdue them to make sure we try and win the game.”

Experience

Skinner had already spoken earlier of his delight with his new summer signings and claimed that his young and energetic group have needed experience. “It’s given us the opportunity to make better decisions in intense moments.”

The former Birmingham boss concluded that European football is teaching him and the squad “about recovery. From my perspective as a coach, it teaches me how to maximise or minimise time. You’re not gifted a lot of it going through these two games.”

He elaborated, “so, it’s about what is your messaging, what are your key priorities? You have to find the right solutions for the problems you’re going to face. We have to make sure, as players and staff, we get the right answers going into the games.”

Featured image Ben Roberts Photo via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social