Man Utd enjoy dominant win over troubled Leicester

Manchester United got their Women's Super League campaign off to a winning start with a dominant display against Leicester at a rain-sodden Leigh Sports Village.

It gave Marc Skinner's side the perfect build-up to Thursday's crucial Champions League qualifier with Norwegian side SK Brann.

Lionesses' hero Ella Toone drove home a 13th-minute opener against a Leicester outfit whose chaotic build-up to the new campaign included the dismissal of coach Amandine Miquel and loss of key player Ruby Mace to Everton for a club record fee on deadline day.

Unsurprisingly against a side already match sharp after two European games, Leicester, led by interim coach Rick Passmoor and tipped by many to finish bottom of the WSL this term, were outclassed.

Elisabeth Terland claimed a 25th-minute second with a header, adding to her four European goals in the victories against PSV Eindhoven and Hammarby.

However, the visiting defence gave Terland far too much space to attack Jayde Riviere's deep cross and goalkeeper Janina Leitzig was beaten too easily at her post.

Leitzig did make three excellent saves to deny Toone but questions were asked of the German again 17 minutes from time when she came to punch clear a cross from Dominique Janssen and got nowhere near it as Melvine Malard, who was excellent throughout for the hosts, turned home United's third.

French forward Malard added another near the end to give the score a deserved one-sided look as she drilled home a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.

Analysis: Man Utd forwards impress but squad depth a concern

Goalscorer Elisabeth Terland (left) and Melvine Malard celebrate Manchester United's second goal against Leicester at Leigh Sports Village

On the basis you can only beat what is in front of you, United boss Skinner will be satisfied to complete a win, suffer no injuries and for midfielder Park - a deadline day signing from Manchester City - to get over half an hour for a pleasing debut.

In the short term, the two-legged encounter with Brann is far more significant as it offers the prize of a place in the league phase of the Champions League and six guaranteed high-profile games against Europe's elite.

The European tie is split by a WSL trip to newcomers London City Lionesses, whose presence in the top flight is shaking up the women's game and presenting United with a challenge.

As in the men's game, when Chelsea's rise under Roman Abramovich was followed by the Abu Dhabi and Qatar-backed emergence of Manchester City and Paris St-Germain as European heavyweights, London City's willingness to spend big under the ownership of Michele Kang is bound to drive up costs and push them among the leading WSL sides.

Skinner had wanted at least one more signing before the transfer window closes - and United naming just five substitutes compared to Leicester's nine hints strongly at a lack of strength in depth.

Among United's injured players are striker Leah Galton, defender Gabby George and new signing Fridolina Rolfo, although the manager is hopeful the latter two could return for his side's European tie.

"We need to do work in the winter (transfer) window, there is no doubt," said Skinner after beating Leicester. "But in the short term, with the turnaround and the quality of players that we have, and the turnaround time of two to three weeks with all these injuries coming back, up to Christmas we should be strong.

"It is adding the right quality after that to see the season through. We were unable in the window to do the little bits we wanted to."

The club also found themselves being quoted £400,000 for players they felt had previously been available for significantly less.

While sources inside Carrington feel United can 'work smarter' to maximise the investment they do have, in an increasingly competitive environment, they are aware of the capacity of richer rivals to outbid them for players, or take some of their own unless they can match salary levels.

On this evidence, United will be particularly keen to keep Terland and Malard, who between them, were far too good for Leicester.

Norway striker Terland's goalscoring prowess is going to be crucial when she returns 'home' this week, while Leicester had no answer to Malard's intelligent running inside from the left wing, with the former Lyon star getting the goals her overall performance deserved.

What's next for both teams?

Manchester United go to Norway for the first leg of their Champions League final qualifying round tie with SK Brann on Thursday, 11 September (18:00 BST). Their next WSL game is against London City Lionesses on Sunday, 14 September (14:00 BST). Leicester entertain Liverpool at the King Power Stadium, also on 14 September (12:00 BST).

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