Man United reach Women's Champions League main draw for first time after Terland hat-trick seals Brann tie

Manchester United have reached the Women's Champions League main draw for the first time, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to beat Brann 3-1 on aggregate after Elisabeth Terland struck a hat-trick in the return fixture at Leigh Sports Village.

United, who reformed their women’s team in 2018, progressed through four qualifying rounds to enter the group stage for the first time. Their victory on Thursday night completed a sequence of solid performances in Europe as Marc Skinner’s side begin to test themselves against Europe’s elite in the revamped competition. The result also capped a season in which United finished third in the Women’s Super League, earning a spot in qualifying rather than an automatic place in the group stage. They now join WSL champions Chelsea and European winners Arsenal in the main draw, with the exact group-stage opponents to be determined in the Friday draw at 11:00 BST.

We are history makers and that's really important to stress. I said to the players that we can't just go in [the draw] and make up the numbers. We have to be really excited by the opportunity of playing against Europe's best teams. If you want to be there, you have to perform against them. Whatever the draw is, I hope that the teams who get us think they didn't want to play Manchester United.

The tie against Brann began with a 1-0 away-leg loss, but United answered decisively in the return, with Terland converting opportunities at pace and in variety—first with a strike, then with a composed finish with her left foot, and finally a header to complete a perfect hat-trick. Skinner highlighted her finishing intelligence as a key asset for United’s European challenge.

The broader challenge for United is clear. They will face longer journeys and longer nights as they rotate a squad still building depth, while facing more sophisticated opposition than the qualifiers offered. Skinner noted that United’s recent recruitment, including Sweden internationals Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti, should help them cope with the demands of Europe’s top clubs, but he also stressed that January will be crucial for bolstering the squad further.

Image

Rolfo, who has won European titles with Barcelona and played in multiple Champions League finals, arrived in August and brings top-level experience to the squad. Zigiotti, another forward with European exposure, has also contributed to United’s offensive balance as they prepare for the season’s more demanding European phase. Skinner reiterated that the club will need to strengthen further in the January window to sustain a high level across multiple competitions.

It’s a totally different challenge but one we’re looking forward to. We have the players who have that experience, as we added that. We need a bigger squad, there is no doubt about that. But I can’t do anything about it now. The players are embracing it. I’m going to stress—in the winter window we need to strengthen the squad.

Terland’s display reinforced why she has been a focal point for United’s European push. Skinner called her one of the best finishers he’s worked with and praised her ability to combine movement with precise finishing in and around the box. She showed the kind of composure and variety that could help United compete against Europe’s best teams in the main draw.

Terland’s return to Brann, where she played between 2021 and 2022, had brought a degree of extra attention as she faced some stick from home supporters during the first leg. Skinner said she used the adversity as fuel, delivering a performance that silenced a section of travelling Brann fans in the second leg and underscored her importance to United’s forward line. "She was fired up. She maybe got a little bit of winding up. Tonight she answered that — I’m really proud of her," Skinner said.

With Terland’s goals and the squad’s growing resilience, United now turn the page to a broader European challenge. Skinner emphasized that progress is measured not just by reaching the main draw, but by how the team handles the increased quality, travel schedules, and the pressure of playing in one of Europe’s premier competitions. He added that the club’s recruitment strategy and player development focus will be essential as they aim to establish themselves as regular contenders in the group stages and beyond.

The Friday draw will determine United’s group opponents, but the achievement already marks a milestone for the club’s women’s team and signals an ambitious new chapter. The season thus far has shown a rising trajectory for United, both domestically and on the continental stage, and the club’s leadership will be hoping the squad’s depth, leadership, and newfound European experience translate into sustained success as the campaign progresses.

Image

Image