Manchester United will strap their “hiking boots” on as they try to overturn a first-leg deficit in their Champions League clash with Brann.
That is the message from manager Marc Skinner ahead of the third qualifying round second leg, with United having lost 1-0 in the opening match in Norway last week.
The defeat came after United staff made an emergency dash to a local sports shop following the realisation on the day of the game that some of the players’ boots had gone missing.
Asked about the task ahead on Thursday, Skinner said: “We just have to put the hiking boots on to climb that mountain.
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“The reality is we’re playing a team that used their home advantage really well. They were excellent on the night and deserved their win, but also got a bit fortunate because I think we created enough chances to win the game.
“We are incredibly good at Leigh Sports Village, it’s our fortress, it’s our home, and we have to make sure that Brann feel that tomorrow.
“There is nothing about us underestimating their quality, they have incredible quality, so it’ll be a tough tie, but we know what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to win the game. So we’re going to go and give absolutely everything in order to do so.”
Skinner praised his players for their reaction to the boot drama, and insisted there will be no repeat this time.
Millie Turner left the pitch on a stretcher on Sunday
Millie Turner left the pitch on a stretcher on Sunday(Steven Paston/PA)
“Everything’s fine,” he said. “The players are ready, and I must say, even on that, the players were excellent.
“They understood, they had the boots they needed for the game. So there was no excuses in that and they took it really, really well. So it’s one of those things that you don’t want to happen, but it happened, so to see the players’ reaction was excellent.”
United will be without defender Millie Turner, who was carried off in the second half of Sunday’s Women’s Super League victory over London City Lionesses with a knee injury.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the nature of the problem but Skinner was happy to report it is not ligament damage.