Marc Skinner has confirmed that Manchester United Women will be without Elisabeth Terland when we face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
Our leading goalscorer this season was an unused substitute for last week’s 3-2 defeat to the Germans at Old Trafford, a result which means it’s win or bust in Bavaria in terms of our European campaign.
The Norwegian then sat out of the derby defeat to Manchester City on Saturday, alongside Anna Sandberg, Dominique Janssen, Ellen Wangerheim, Leah Galton and Ella Toone.
Julia Zigiotti also missed the clash with City, due to suspension, but is now able to return.
However, Skinner has revealed that, despite her best efforts, Teri won’t be ready in time to face the Bundesliga Frauen leaders.
“Like I said after the game the other day, no new players back, so it’ll be the same squad,”
he said, at his pre-match press conference.
“Layla [Drury] will be out, obviously she’s not registered in the Champions League, but everyone else is fit and raring to go, no new injuries to add to the group.
“Elisabeth Terland will miss tomorrow. It came a little bit soon for her, so we’ll be without her.”
This is the Reds’ final game for three-and-a-half weeks, as the Adobe FA Cup quarter-finals take place this weekend, before an international break.
Skinner doesn’t think Terland will be involved for her country, and there is no date yet set for her return.
“It’s one we’ll have to keep assessing,”
he added. “She probably won’t play for Norway in that window but I think it might be more towards [the next game], depending on if we qualify tomorrow – whether it’s Barcelona or Tottenham... or Real Madrid.
“We’ll wait and see what happens, but we don’t have a definitive timeline.”
Terland has so often proved pivotal for United in this continental campaign, scoring hat-tricks against PSV Eindhoven and Brann, plus the opener in the play-off first leg at Atletico de Madrid.
Skinner acknowledged that, while her goalscoring talents will be missed in Germany, the Reds have what it takes to make it a night we’ll never forget.
“I believe in this team. The only thing missing from Bayern having a tough night at Old Trafford was our little bit of composure in the final third.
“There were two or three little passes we missed to create goalscoring opportunities, so we have to sharpen up on that. It’s understandable, but we know what we have to do.
“We have to come in and silence a fantastic arena with brilliant fans. We have to create history, and everyone is geed up and ready to go.”