Marc Skinner has explained why Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier is the “same ilk of a player” as fellow Lionesses hero Lucy Bronze. The Red Devils’ no-nonsense skipper was unaware that she reached a notable personal landmark in a WSL clash with the London City Lionesses that saw her find the target from the penalty spot in a crushing 5-1 victory.
Reliable option on penalty-taking duty
Le Tissier put United on their way in that contest inside the opening three minutes. She was tasked with stepping up from 12 yards as Skinner’s side were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Le Tissier crashed her penalty straight down the middle.
AdvertisementGettyLe Tissier now a Manchester United centurion
She will be disappointed not to have picked up another clean sheet, following a 4-0 win over Leicester on the opening weekend, but still had plenty to celebrate at the final whistle. Her outing against London City was her 100th for United.
Red Devils skipper focused on her football
Le Tissier “had no idea” that such a landmark had been reached, with the 23-year-old defender focused purely on the pursuit of precious points. She had to be told afterwards that she is now a centurion – with that mindset considered to be shared with highly decorated international team-mates.
GettyWhy manager likened Le Tissier to Bronze
Skinner told reporters: “Maya had no idea it was her 100th appearance, I had to tell her at the end. It shows so much about what she’s like. Shes just an ultra competitor.
“At half-time she was going mad, even though we were 2-0 up, because our quality on the ball wasn’t good enough. It says a lot about her – she just loves playing football.
“To be available for the amount of games she has been – I think Lucy Bronze is the same ilk of a player, there’s not many who do it. For her to be able to do it – that’s why she’s my captain.”