Tullis-Joyce relishing Man Utd's 'do or die' Champions League matches

Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce is relishing the challenge that her team's "do or die" Women's Champions League matches are providing. 

After finishing third in the Women's Super League, the Red Devils qualified for Europe's elite competition after downing PSV, Hammarby and Brann in qualifying. 

Indeed, it is the first time United have competed in the Champions League, and they have made a flying start with two wins from their opening two matches. 

Back-to-back 1-0 triumphs over Valerenga and Atletico Madrid see Marc Skinner's team one of only five sides to have made a perfect start to their European campaign. 

And Tullis-Joyce has been key to that success, keeping six clean sheets in 10 appearances across all competitions in 2025-26. 

"I'm absolutely loving representing United," Tullis-Joyce told ESPN's Cristina Alexander, Ali Krieger and Jeff Kassouf on Futbol W. 

"I think we have a great squad, incredible people that I enjoy spending time with on and off the field and just incredible players. 

"Oh my goodness, do we have some incredible teammates there at United, and I think we've all just bonded together and just want to get the job done.

"We're enjoying shaking up the WSL right now. I've been having a great time, especially making the Champions League. When it came down to the wire between us and Man City.

"I never celebrated a tie more in my life, but getting that Champions League spot and then having to grind it out.

"I never understood how intense the Champions League was until we were in qualifier,s and it was do or die every game.

"And so it is just that thrill, that excitement of how soccer should be. And I really love getting this side of it now and experiencing it."

United are next in European action against Paris Saint-Germain on November 12, before fixtures against previous winners Wolfsburg and Lyon, as well as Juventus. 

Their last result against Atletico was perhaps their most impressive of the entire season, 

Fridolina Rolfo's early goal was enough, despite Dominique Janssen seeing red in the 41st minute, though Atletico also saw Alexia Fernandez dismissed after the break. 

"It's so special. And we played Valerenga, we played at Atletico, and these teams were incredible from the first whistle," Tullis-Joyce added.

"When we played Atletico, I was like, 'Oh, this is how it's going to be'. They stepped up, and we had to step up even harder.

"We had some players taking blocks off the chest, people sliding for tackles.

"Some got the red, but we gave it everything in that game, and I'm really proud to play with this team and this squad.

"I'm excited to see how much further we can go in the Champions League."