Ahead of Manchester United vs Valerenga on Wednesday, read our preview, prediction and the latest team news from both sides ahead of the first Champions League matchday.
Manchester United vs Valerenga match information
- ⚽️ Champions League matchday 1: Manchester United vs Valerenga
- 🏟️ Progress with Unity Stadium (Leigh Sports Village)
- ⏱️ Wednesday, October 7th: 20:00pm (BST) – Disney +
Manchester United vs Valerenga
The Red Devils are still unbeaten in the league after their first five games and they have played both Arsenal and Chelsea already – earning a draw against both.
After such a positive start to the year, many around Manchester – including the players – believe they can seriously challenge for the title this season.
United also had to play Champions League qualifiers during the start of the campaign and despite a scare against Brann they were able to qualify over two legs to earn a spot in the league phase.
That just-qualified-for-the-Champions-League feeling 🤗#MUWomen || #UWCL pic.twitter.com/mHvAfR2riQ
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 4, 2025
Although their opponents for Wednesday’s European opener are a bit of a mystery, Valerenga are just behind familiar opposition, Brann, in the domestic league.
The reigning champs are four points behind Brann at the top of the table with five games left to play despite having won their last nine matches in all competitions.
Like United, Valerenga also had to go through qualifiers to get into the Champions League this season. There was no scare for the Norwegian side however, with two comfortable wins against Slavia Prague and Ferencvaros to earn their spot in the league phase.
Manchester United and Valerenga Form
Manchester United last five matches
- Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (WSL)
- Liverpool 0-2 Manchester United (WSL)
- Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal (WSL)
- Manchester United 3-0 Brann (Champions League)
- London City Lionesses 1-5 Manchester United (WSL)
Valerenga last five matches
- Bodo/Glimt 1-4 Valerenga (Toppserien Women)
- Valerenga 2-1 Brann (Norway Cup)
- Valerenga 2-1 Lyn (Toppserien Women)
- Valerenga 4-0 Kolbotn (Toppserien Women)
- Ferencvaros 1-2 Valerenga (Champions League qualifier)
Manchester United vs Valerenga head to head
- Valerenga 4-1 Manchester United (Friendly – 31/07/2019)
Manchester United vs Valerenga team news
Skinner has been full of praise for summer signings Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti Olme after their first few games and they are both in line to start against Valerenga.
Millie Turner is again out of action as she continues to recover from a knee injury suffered last month.
United could welcome back Leah Galton from injury though, having returned to first-team training last week.
Elise Thorsnes scored a hat-trick over the weekend and should provide an attacking threat against United on Wednesday night.
Valerenga have no fresh injury concerns and could start a very similar lineup to the one that thrashed Bodo/Glimt in their last game.
Predicted lineups
Manchester United: Tullis Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Rolfo; Olme, Miyazawa; Park, Toone, Malard; Terland.
Valerenga: Erichsen, Horte, Pettersen, Eiriksdottir, Heidarsdottir, Hegg, Brekken, Inauen, Hansen, Thorsnes, Saevik.
Manchester United vs Valerenga prediction
Valerenga have been phenomenal this season so far and they are currently on a nine game winning streak in all competitions.
With that being said, Manchester United will be by far and away the toughest opponents they have faced so far in the campaign.
The Red Devils have been in great form themselves and it is hard to see them taking anything other than a win from their first Champions League game in the league phase.
Valerenga may be able to score at Leigh Sports Village but we are backing United to take all three points in what should be a routine win.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Valerenga
