Skinner discusses Terland's crucial quality
Marc Skinner explained that what he really likes about Elisabeth Terland is her ability to finish under pressure and be clinical when it really matters following United Women's 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the WSL.
Terland, a summer recruit from Brighton, scored her first two United goals in the victory, netting twice in quick succession just before half-time. She was also only denied a potential hat-trick early in the second half by an excellent save from Tottenham goalkeeper Becky Spencer, turning a goal-bound strike onto the post.
"She slows the moment under the most immense pressure. That's the beauty of her," Marc explained in his post-match press conference.
Terland: I'm proud of the team
💬 REACTION | Elisabeth Terland was keen to highlight her team-mates despite netting her first two United goals...
The boss likened her to another player with similar attributes he has worked with in the past, England all-time top goalscorer Ellen White.
"Ellen White was the same. In the moments when it counted, Ellen had this calmness to finish. She's a real positive player and someone I know we can take from strength to strength,” Skinner said of Terland's composure in front of goal.
Teri, as she has quickly become known to team-mates and staff, open the scoring with a lethal volley from Celin Bizet's cross from the right, hooking her foot around the ball, which glanced off the underside off the bar before it hit the net.
"If you ever want to watch how to volley a ball from a side-on position, under pressure, that goal today - it's a fantastic hit. If we can get her in those positions, she'll score many, many goals for us," the manager said.
Her second of the game, moments later, was another Bizet cross but this time a precision header to double United's lead at a crucial moment.
"Teri is one of those people in the box that knows the right time, the right spaces, she's already precalculated and I just think she's an incredible talent," Skinner continued.
"Intense…in a good way," is how he described her character and attitude. "She is a person who is always focused. When we played against her last year, I felt that in the box she was deadly - so we kept her out of the box. I felt that we could get her into those spaces to score goals."
Terland's first goal for United Women
Watch Elisabeth Terland open her account for the club to put the Reds in front against Spurs...
Terland's two goals put her level with Grace Clinton as our joint leading WSL goalscorers three games into the 2024/25 season. Across the rest of the league, only Brighton's Kiko Seike, Aston Villa's Rachel Daly and Liverpool's Marie Hobinger (all three) have scored more.
United are next in action away at Brighton on Saturday 19 October, making it an early reunion for Teri against her former club.