MANCHESTER UNITED manager Marc Skinner admitted his side were not “clinical” enough in their Champions League first-leg defeat to Brann on Thursday evening.

United dominated the third-round qualifying fixture in Norway only for Ingrid Stenevik to score the only goal of the game with 14 minutes remaining.

The defeat means United must win the return clash at Leigh Sports Village on September 18 by at least two goals to guarantee they are in the pot for the league phase draw.

“We were the better team but we didn’t win the game,” said Skinner. “We lost out on a set-piece and we needed to be more aggressive there. We created chances but we were not clinical enough.

“But this is half-time and Brann are celebrating like they have won the tie so let’s see what happens when we get back to Leigh next week.

“This is European football, and I said that to the girls. Don’t put your shoulders down. Use that energy inside the stadium tonight, and use it against them the next time we play.”

Brann goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen was the thorn in United’s side after she pulled off a string of fine saves.

United will drop into the second qualifying round of the Europa Cup if they fail to progress from the tie.

Skinner continued: “There was no lack of confidence tonight, but a lack of quality with our final bits.

“For us, we will take them back to Leigh Sports Village, and we need our fans to turn up in great numbers and support us and make it louder than it was in here tonight and see if Brann can deal with that pressure.

“We need to be really clinical and if we are we will win the tie. We should have been more ruthless, and we know that as a group. We will focus on that and we will be ready to fight on all fronts next week.”