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A 20-year-old footballer from Guernsey made a dream start to her Women's Super League career with Manchester United at the weekend.
Maya Le Tissier scored two goals in the opening 25 minutes of her WSL debut for United in a 4-0 win against Reading.
United's manager, Marc Skinner, said after the match that Le Tissier, who played at centre half, could be a "real star in the future".
There was also national media speculation that her first call-up for England's senior national team - the European Championship-winning Lionesses - would not be far away. Le Tissier has already represented England at under-23 level.
The Guernseywoman, who played youth football for St. Martin's, signed for United this summer after they reportedly paid around £50,000 to trigger a release clause in her contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, her first professional club.
United scored all four goals in the first half to run out comfortable winners in front of 5,000 spectators, a new record at their Leigh Sports Village ground.
Le Tissier, playing at centre half, scored both her goals from corners. First, with a looping effort over Reading's goalkeeper after just four minutes, and then with a header after 25 minutes. She was awarded player of the match.
"My job is to keep her being normal, but she can be a real star in the future, no doubt," said Skinner.
"In lots of moments today, she was really mature and aggressive when she needed to be. We’re not just going to get goals from her, but solid performances from the back and progression with the ball.
"She has forward-playing ability and can strike the ball really well. Her passing range is excellent. Her maturity and concentration and all these things - she has a lot of the tools."
United signed seven new players in the summer break. Le Tissier was one of only two to feature in the starting line-up for their opening match of the 2022/23 WSL season, which was postponed for a week after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
United have finished fourth in each of the past three WSL seasons. They have ambitions of breaking into the top three and securing a place in European club competitions.
Their next WSL match is away at West Ham United on Sunday.
Maya Le Tissier to join Manchester United
FOCUS: The Guernsey girl taking the world by storm
Pictured top: Maya Le Tissier during her debut. (Photographed by Manchester United Women/@ManUtdWomen)
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