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Maya Le Tissier was appointed captain of Manchester United in August 2024.
Following Manchester United’s Champions League debut, coach Marc Skinner quickly dismissed a line of inquiry regarding match-winner Maya Le Tissier’s potential England selection.
“Your next question is probably ‘should she start for England’,” he stated. “I am not here to answer that.”
Despite establishing herself as a consistent defender in the Women’s Super League, with a record 71st consecutive appearance in last week’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Le Tissier, a central defensive mainstay, has seen limited action on the international stage.
Under Le Tissier’s guidance, United boasted the WSL’s second-best defense last season, conceding just 16 goals in 22 matches.
The United captain secured a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s Euro 2025 squad but did not feature during the Lionesses’ campaign in Switzerland.
With eight caps since her initial call-up in November 2022, her international exposure seems disproportionate to her talent. This WSL season, Le Tissier leads in clearances (34) and touches (444).
Wiegman has expressed a preference for Le Tissier at right-back, despite her role as a centre-back for United.
However, injuries to England captain and centre-back Leah Williamson, as well as right-back Lucy Bronze, could provide Le Tissier with an opportunity to play when Wiegman’s team faces Brazil and Australia later this month, with the squad announcement anticipated next week.
Skinner refrained from delving into the debate but was pleased to commend the 23-year-old, who confidently converted the first-half penalty, securing victory over Valerenga in their league phase opener.
“She is [at the top of her game] and has been for a long time,” he affirmed.
“I start her for a reason. She is an incredible footballer and a driven personality. When she gets her opportunity, she will be an incredible England stalwart and someone who will give the country pride.
“She is a fantastic player. I won’t answer the other question.”
Le Tissier etched her name in history by scoring United’s first-ever Champions League goal.
In contrast to Ruben Amorim, head coach of United’s men’s side, who avoids watching his players take crucial penalties, Skinner confidently observed skipper Le Tissier, certain of her success.
“When she steps up I feel confident,” he said. “I am not one of these managers who looks away.
“You are at the mercy of technique and composure and mental acumen, not whether the wind is blowing in the wrong direction.
“She practices them and is calm with them. I trust her technique 100%.
“I thought she was good in defence as well tonight. She’s a rock for us and it’s fitting that she got the first goal [for United in the Champions League].”
With upcoming matches against Atletico Madrid, who secured a 6-0 victory over SV Polten, followed by encounters with PSG, Lyon, and Juventus, United needed a win to secure a chance of reaching the ‘nine to 12 points’ Skinner believes are necessary to advance to the knockout stages.
He dismissed suggestions that his side appeared fatigued against limited opponents, despite only naming eight substitutes, including two goalkeepers, when they were eligible to name 11.
Instead, representing a club with such a prestigious European history on the men’s side, he emphasized the remarkable progress made by a team that didn’t exist eight years ago.
“This is a special group and I have reminded them there is special expectation on a Manchester United team,” he said.
“We weren’t happy even though we won our first game in Europe and we got our first three points on the board. We want more. That is a good sign.”
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, alongside interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed
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Women’s Football Weekly Extra: Champions League, Arsenal ‘blip’ and Esme Morgan
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