Manchester United Suffer First Defeat of Season in Champions League Qualifier Against Brann
BERGEN, Norway – Manchester United Women experienced their first loss of the season, falling 1-0 to Brann in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League qualifying tie on wednesday. The defeat marks a rare setback for United, who had previously secured three wins in all competitions this season, eliminating PSV and Hammarby in earlier qualifying rounds.
Brann’s victory, secured by a goal from the home side, ended United’s run of four games without conceding. The Norwegian side, currently four points clear at the top of the Toppserien, celebrated a historic win on home soil.
Brann are managed by Leif Smerud, who took over from Martin Ho – now head coach at Tottenham – earlier this summer. Smerud previously managed Crystal Palace during the latter half of last season. Brann reached the quarter-finals two seasons ago, making this victory one of their most notable achievements in continental competition.
United will now face a challenging second leg as they attempt to overturn the deficit and secure their place in the group stages of the Women’s Champions League.
