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.