Man Utd manager Marc Skinner confirms the team has all the necessary boots for their Champions League qualifier against Brann, following a boot-buying trip in Norway last week due to lost equipment. Millie Turner is out with a knee injury, but is not an ACL injury, as Man Utd seeks its first-ever Champions League draw.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has reassured fans that his players will have the correct footwear for their crucial Champions League qualifier against Brann. This comes after a logistical mishap last week forced club officials to purchase replacement boots from a local sports shop in Bergen, Norway, before the first-leg match.
The bizarre incident occurred because the team's equipment was lost in transit, leaving the players without their usual boots upon arrival in Bergen. The situation wasn't discovered until the day of the game, as the team had completed their final training session at their Carrington base before flying to Norway. With time running out, club officials had to scramble to find a solution.
Less than three hours before the scheduled kick-off, officials arrived at Torshov Sport, a local sports shop, and purchased 15 pairs of boots and 20 sets of shin guards. This last-minute purchase ensured that the players could take to the field, albeit with unfamiliar footwear. Despite the setback, Skinner insists that the team made no excuses and performed to the best of their ability.
Speaking on Wednesday, Skinner addressed the boot situation with a touch of humor: "I would imagine we have got the boots this time! They have been training with them so they have them sorted." He emphasized that the players are fully prepared for the upcoming match and that the previous incident is now firmly in the past.
"Everything is fine. The players are ready," Skinner stated. "They all had the boots they needed for the [first leg] so there were no excuses and they took it really well. It was one of those things you don't want to happen, but it does happen. I don't know where the [lost] boots are, but we're living in a modern world where boots can get sent very quickly so all the players have them now. They might not be the same ones, but they are the boots they need for the game on Thursday [19:00 BST kick-off]."
Manchester United are determined to secure their place in the Women's Champions League main draw for the first time. The match against Brann is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. The team will be playing at Leigh Sports Village, where they hope to capitalize on their home advantage.
However, United will be without defender Millie Turner for the game. Turner was stretchered off the field during the second half of United's 5-1 win over London City Lionesses on Sunday. Skinner provided an update on Turner's injury, stating: "It's a knee injury. We're still assessing, but it's not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL) - it's not the structure of the knee."
"We are just looking at the knee cap. She has another meeting at the end of this week, and when it settles down, we'll know more," Skinner added. "I can update you properly next week. But it's not what people probably feared, which was that it was an ACL, so that's good news." Turner's absence will be a blow to the team, but Skinner expressed confidence in the squad's ability to adapt and overcome the challenge.
The upcoming match against Brann is a significant moment for Manchester United Women as they strive to make their mark in European competition. With the boot debacle behind them and the team focused on the task at hand, they are ready to battle for a place in the Champions League draw. The team is determined to make history and showcase their talent on the European stage.
Despite the challenges, the mood in the United camp remains upbeat. The players and coaching staff are united in their ambition and are determined to achieve their goals. With the support of their fans, they are confident that they can overcome Brann and secure their place in the Champions League.