Manchester United boss Marc Skinner called on his side to display “maturity” during their maiden Women’s Champions League campaign.
They will play in the main phase for the first time after beating Brann in qualifying and begin with a home clash against Valerenga on Wednesday.
United have enjoyed an unbeaten start in this season’s Women’s Super League and Skinner is now relishing the opportunity to compete in Europe.
That #UWCL feeling 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VKVwafaBBw
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) October 7, 2025
He told a press conference: “We’ve spoken about this as a team, we want to compete on the highest level. We believe in ourselves, you’ve seen it in our performances this year so far.
“It’s an excitement. I don’t want it to be naivety, so we’ve spoken about maturity. I think those are the key factors, if we can be mature, show a mature performance and play the way we have been, I don’t think people will want to come and play us.”
Chelsea are also in action on Wednesday as they travel to Twente.
The London club, who will be without Niamh Charles, Lucy Bronze and Catarina Macario in the Netherlands, sit top of the WSL as they chase a seventh successive domestic title but are yet to taste European glory.
Head coach Sonia Bompastor told a press conference: “We have a lot of ambitions. Everyone knows the Champions League is the only trophy we are missing at the club.
Next stop: Netherlands 🇳🇱#UWCL pic.twitter.com/zrGEDUZYFm
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) October 7, 2025
“When you are competitive and you have these ambitions, you want to perform at the highest level.
“For us as a club, the Champions League is the highest competition you can play and we all want to take that opportunity to perform and to show our best level.”
Last season’s quarter-finalists Real Madrid take on Roma and boss Pau Quesada is looking forward to a tough contest.
“Whichever team we face at this level will be among the best 18 teams in Europe,” he said in quotes reported on uefa.com.
“Roma are very exciting to watch. They’re doing very well. We have to give our all and go for it.”
Wednesday’s remaining matches see St Polten take on Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg face Paris St Germain.
