Le Tissier revels in Man Utd's 'special' Champions League debut

Maya Le Tissier described Manchester United's first game in the Women's Champions League as "special" after her penalty earned a 1-0 win over Valerenga on Wednesday. 

Le Tissier tucked home from 12 yards in the 31st minute after a handball by Arna Eiriksdottir, with that moment proving enough to get the Red Devils over the line. 

It was a game that Marc Skinner's side looked comfortable throughout, though they were unable to add to their goal tally to make the scoreline slightly more comfortable.

Elisabeth Terland glanced a header narrowly wide inside the first minute before Hinata Miyazawa and Melvine Malard forced saves out of visiting goalkeeper Tove Enblom. 

Jessica Park then came close to doubling United's lead just 25 seconds after the restart, but the midfielder saw her shot brilliantly saved by Enblom at her near post.

From there, United only managed one further shot on target courtesy of Julia Zigiotti Olme, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce remained untroubled as the hosts saw out the triumph. 

However, that did not dampen Le Tissier's spirits, as she told Disney+: "It was a special night for all of us to play in our first proper Champions League game.

"Incredible. This is where you want to be, playing in the Champions League. It meant the world to us. 

"It's been a long, well my four years. For Tooney, she's been here like ten years or something.

"We've worked hard to get here, we deserve to be here so to get the first win is something we wanted to do and so to do it tonight we're very happy."

United were the only Women's Super League team in the competition to start their campaign with a win, after Chelsea were held away to Twente earlier in the day, while defending champions Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Lyon 24 hours prior. 

But given the slender scoreline, Valerenga provided some nervy moments on the break, with substitute Elise Thorsnes firing just wide moments after coming onto the field. 

United registered an expected goals (xG) total of 1.85 from their 16 shots, with seven of those on target, compared to their opponents' 0.28 from their three attempts. 

"Sometimes, when you play against a low block it is the hardest thing to break them down. You get frustrated and try to force balls through," Le Tissier added.

"I thought we controlled it really well in the first half, in the second half it was a bit more open, and we had to face a lot more transitions.

"That is something we definitely need to look at, that can't happen again, made it a nervy last five.

"The best thing about this competition is that you face different opposition that you're not used to, they pose different threats, and you get different opportunities to learn from."

United are next in action in Europe on October 16 away to Atletico Madrid, who thumped St. Polten 6-0 upon their return to the Champions League.