Man Utd avoid big guns in Women's Champions League qualifying draw as Marc Skinner's side aim to reach league phase for first time

United overcame PSV Eindhoven (4-0) and Hammarby (1-0) in the mini-tournament that makes up the second round of qualifying. The Red Devils were unseeded in the League Path side of the third qualifying round draw but will feel their pairing could have been harder in the circumstances. Brann's name was pulled out of the bowl, with Real Madrid, Roma, Paris FC and BK Hacken the arguably tougher options they avoided.

Brann are still no pushover, reaching the Champions League group for the first time last season - the final year of that format before a revamp into a league phase. Simply qualifying was a huge achievement, but they proceeded to follow continental heavyweights Lyon out of the group, even taking a point against the French side, before quarter-final elimination at the hands of Barcelona. The likes of Real Madrid, Roma and Paris FC, who stunned Arsenal in qualifying round one two seasons ago, are more experienced at this level and boast more in the way of international names.

Ex-United assistant manager Martin Ho was in charge when Brann qualified for the Champions League and reached the last eight, but has since returned to England to take over at Tottenham Hotspur. Other links exist between the clubs too. Elisabeth Terland, scorer of four out of five United goals in the second qualifying round, had two seasons with Brann before moving to the WSL in 2022. Midfielder Lisa Naalsund was signed direct from Brann in 2023, and was even among the fans cheering on her former teammates when they secured last season's group stage qualification against Glasgow City.

Manchester United came unstuck in the third qualifying round in their only previous Champions League season two seasons ago, losing 4-2 on aggregate against 2015 and 2017 finalists Paris Saint-Germain. If they can overcome Brann over two legs on September 11 and 18, the prize is a place in the main Champions League tournament and its 18-team league phase - the top 12 in the standings will qualify for the knockout rounds. Before then, however, the new WSL season kicks off with the visit of Leicester City on September 7.