United Beyond Manchester

While Manchester United’s men’s team is making history for the wrong reasons, the women’s team is doing the opposite. After a 3-0 second-leg win over Brann, the MU Women are in the main draw of the Champions League for the first time in club history.

Two first-half goals in the first thirteen minutes by Elisabeth Terland erased a one-goal deficit and put Marc Skinner’s side in the driver’s seat. Terland, a Norwegian international, completed her hat-trick in the 62nd minute, giving United a 3-1 aggregate lead and putting the tie out of reach for the visitors.

Wins over PSV, Hammarby, and finally Brann sent United into the draw for the league phase of the competition. Elisabeth Terland scored seven of the eight goals for the Reds in the three qualifying rounds, with two hat tricks.

Eighteen European sides are in the league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, including fellow English teams Chelsea and Arsenal. Each club will play six matches, three at home and three away, to determine who advances to the next round. This is the first year that the Women’s Champions League will include the league phase rather than a group stage.

Manchester United will find out their six opponents on Friday, September 19th.