It was by no means a classic but Manchester United will certainly never forget the events of Wednesday night, as the Red Devils beat Valerenga 1-0 to secure their first-ever win in the Women's Champions League proper. While their formal European journey might not have started with the sort of glamour fixture many would associate the UWCL with, it was one that felt important to emerge from with all three points given some of the challenges ahead and United did exactly that, thanks to a first half penalty from captain Maya Le Tissier.
There was an air of fortune in how the hosts' goal came about, with Julia Zigiotti Olme's seemingly nothing ball striking the arm of Arna Eiriksdottir in the box to give Le Tissier the chance to break the deadlock just past the half-hour mark. United, though, had been threatening to score, most notably with a huge chance that fell to Melvine Malard which really should've been squared to the unmarked Elisabeth Terland, rather than hit right at Tove Enblom in the visiting goal.
There were not many chances in the game but it was often those in red coming closest to adding to the scoreline, be it Enblom thwarting Jess Park just after the restart or both Malard and Terland firing just off target as the game wound down. There would be a slight late scare for United, when Elise Thorsnes' effort fizzed just wide of Phallon Tullis-Joyce far post, but Marc Skinner's side were able to comfortably see the game out in the end, making them the only English team to win in Europe this week following [defeat for holders Arsenal](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-women-player-ratings-lyon-alessia-russo-champions-league/blt84c0459691159b6f) and [Chelsea's shock draw](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/chelsea-women-player-ratings-twente-alyssa-thompson-champions-league/blt043addeb84bf4f9b).
**GOAL** rates Man Utd's players from Leigh Sports Village...