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When Pernille Harder ended her tenure at Chelsea with a decisive goal against Manchester United in the 2023 FA Cup final, many in the Manchester red camp likely hoped it would be the last they’d see of the formidable Danish forward.
However, fate had other plans. Harder returned to the spotlight with a stunning brace, complemented by a third goal from Momoko Tanikawa in the 84th minute, leaving United with a steep challenge as they prepare to face Bayern at the Allianz Arena next week.
Up until Tanikawa’s late goal, which reinstated Bayern’s lead, United had been on the cusp of a commendable draw, having shown resilience and determination throughout the match. Now, with a deficit looming over them, the upcoming second leg seems far more intimidating.
Reflecting on the match, a member of the United squad remarked, “Tonight has given us a taste of what we must do to go into the second leg and try and attack Bayern. We’re still in the tie, for sure.”
This encounter marked United’s debut in a Women’s Champions League knockout game. Unfortunately, due to UEFA regulations, they are required to play their home knockout matches at Old Trafford, a decision that added a layer of complexity to their campaign.
Leigh Sports Village, while undoubtedly missing the grandeur and history of United’s century-old stadium, remains an imposing place for teams to travel to, helped in no small part by the proximity of the stands to the pitch.
Until Tanikawa restored the perennial German champions’ lead late on, United were on the verge of heading home with their heads held high
Pernille Harder’s brace – and a third from Tanikawa in the 84th minute – has given United an almighty task to carry with them to the Allianz Arena next week
Here at Old Trafford on a near-freezing Wednesday night, only one of the four stands was open, and the noise generated by those in the Sir Matt Busby Stand struggled to linger.
Perhaps this contributed to the palpable nervousness around the ground before kick-off, and in just 98 seconds, United’s greatest fears came true.
A fizzing pass from Bayern’s Arianna Caruso from deep dropped in front of Maya Le Tissier. The United captain misjudged the trajectory of the ball and found herself wrong-footed and caught in a frantic chase with Bayern’s Pernille Harder.
The inevitability of former Chelsea forward Harder, whom United remember with dread for scoring the match-winning goal that denied them their first major silverware in 2023, returned to haunt them. The 33-year-old Dane latched onto the ball and buried it home.
United have been made of sterner stuff in the last couple of seasons, though, and refused to keel over despite having the wind knocked out of their sails.
In fact, they had the better chances in the moments that followed – and had a helping hand from Bayern defender Glodis Perla Viggosdottir just 20 minutes later.
Lea Schuller, who has had a stuttering start to her career in red since her high-profile move from Bayern in January, picked up a wonderful pass from the returning Hinata Miyazawa on the wing and drove towards the box.
Her unconvincing shot towards goal was parried away by the right arm of the retreating Viggosdottir, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
United have been made out of thicker stuff in the last couple of seasons though, twice fighting back to draw the scores level despite going behind
Even more unconvincing was Le Tissier’s penalty. The Lionesses centre-back scuffed her shot, and Bayern goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic should have done better to get down in time, but the scores were level, and that was all that mattered to those in red.
In the second half, Harder struck again. Her goal, an almost carbon copy of her first, was buried into the left-hand corner of Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s net once more.
United’s Hanna Lundkvist popped up with a header to bring the scores level again, but Bayern were keen to make before Tanikawa delivered a sweet finish in the 85th minute to restore the Germans’ lead.
‘I never thought I would score two goals at Old Trafford,’ childhood United fan Harder said after the match. ‘When I was a kid, there was no women’s team, so it would not even be possible. So of course it’s a dream come true, but most of all, I’m really happy with the win also.’Â
For those in red, their dreams appeared to be slipping away before their eyes. The damage is not final, but it certainly won’t be easy.