Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier is on the radar of England supervisor Sarina Wiegman, regardless of lacking out on the Lionesses squad for upcoming internationals, and stands an opportunity of going to the World Cup subsequent summer time if she continues her wonderful begin to the brand new WSL season.
Le Tissier has been one of many WSL’s standout younger skills over the previous couple of years, taking part in each sport for Brighton in every of the final two seasons.
Nonetheless solely 20, she joined United in the course of the summer time and has already had a huge effect – a direct hand in half of the membership’s six objectives throughout two video games – to rapidly cement herself as a fan favorite.
Regardless of making her title as a right-back, United boss Marc Skinner has opted to make use of Le Tissier within the centre of his defence alongside the returning Millie Turner, maintaining expertise France worldwide Aissatou Tounkara and former starter Maria Thorsidottir on the bench thus far.
She wasn’t signed to attain objectives, however Le Tissier scored twice from corners within the first of United’s season opener towards Studying earlier this month. Her defence splitting move was additionally what gave Spanish winger Lucia Garcia the possibility to present United the lead towards West Ham final Sunday.
Le Tissier, capped at junior worldwide degree, didn’t get the decision from the Lionesses as Manchester Metropolis’s Esme Morgan and West Ham’s Lucy Parker did. However regardless of the frustration from United followers, Wiegman has at the least proven by selecting the likes of Morgan and Parker, as effectively Jess Park and Lauren James additional up the pitch, that she doesn’t have favourites and there will likely be possibilities.
That a lot was additionally clear when Euro 2022 winners Nikita Parris, Bethany England and Lotte Wubben-Moy had been unnoticed this time for an absence of membership minutes.
“Maya did superb,” Wiegman mentioned when requested in regards to the participant’s omission. “It’s very nice that she scored however her essential job will not be scoring, it’s defending, it’s the build-up, she did very effectively however the different gamers did a bit bit extra.
“We’re watching her. She’s within the under-23s, there are many superb gamers within the under-23s prepared to return in and for the time being these are the gamers we picked.”
Le Tissier’s influence at membership degree has already been felt. Centre-back accomplice Turner has described her as ‘good’ and a ‘breath of recent air’, whereas supervisor Skinner has already pressured that his latest half will likely be taking part in a ‘key half’ for his workforce this season.
“She has forward-playing skill and might strike the ball rather well. Her passing vary is great. Her maturity and focus…she has loads of the instruments,” Skinner mentioned after the Studying sport, eager to debate extra than simply her two objectives.
If Le Tissier continues to carry out like this all through the season for a workforce that already appears to be like like a powerful contender for a prime three WSL end, Wiegman will discover it unimaginable to disregard her. With the World Cup already looming on the horizon 10 months down the street, the timing couldn’t be higher.
For extra from Jamie Spencer, comply with him on Twitter and Fb!
