As the clock ticked towards half-time at Leigh Sports Village, Manchester United were struggling to break down a resolute Tottenham Hotspur side. However, with a burst of brilliance, summer signing Elisabeth Terland transformed the game with two stunning goals just before the break.
The first goal was a masterpiece of timing and precision. Former Spurs winger Celin Bizet delivered a tantalizing cross from the right, and Terland, reading the play perfectly, met the ball with her volley, sending it crashing off the underside of the crossbar and into the net. As she celebrated, arms aloft and badge in hand, it was a moment that resonated deeply with her journey as a lifelong United supporter.
“If you want to see how to volley a ball under pressure, that’s how it’s done. She’s unflappable in those moments,” remarked manager Marc Skinner. “What sets her apart is her calmness. It reminds me of the way Ellen White used to finish when it counted.”
Terland’s prowess in front of goal was evident during her previous stint at Brighton & Hove Albion, where she netted half of the team’s 26 league goals last season, finishing as joint-second in the Golden Boot race alongside Chelsea’s Lauren James.
Former Norway head coach Leif Gunnar Smerud praised her resilience, noting that missing out on the national team for the Women’s World Cup motivated her to elevate her game. “She used that disappointment to fuel her performances. It made her even more determined,” he stated.
United’s scouts were quick to recognise Terland’s abilities, leading them to secure the 23-year-old on a two-year deal as a free agent following the expiration of her contract at Brighton. Although not the quickest player on the pitch, her footballing acumen, positional awareness, and clinical finishing made her an attractive signing.
Statistics underscore her finishing ability—last season, Terland consistently outperformed her expected goals (xG) metrics, demonstrating her knack for converting chances. This season, her debut performance against Spurs showcased her ability to find the net efficiently, with two goals coming from just six touches in the box, alongside an impressive xG of 0.47.
Bizet, filling in at right-back for an injured Jayde Riviere, provided crucial assists, with Skinner lauding the decision to deploy her in a more attacking role. The second goal came just five minutes after the first, as Terland expertly adjusted her run to meet another pinpoint cross from Bizet, heading home with precision.
While she could have scored a hat-trick but for a superb save from Rebecca Spencer, Terland’s impact on the match was undeniable. Her offensive instincts bear comparison to that of another Norwegian star, Erling Haaland, noted Skinner, “She has that same intensity in the box; it’s always about finding the back of the net.”
Since joining United, Terland has seamlessly integrated into the squad, earning the trust of her teammates. Skinner emphasized her relentless work ethic both offensively and defensively against Spurs, while her former Brighton interim manager Mikey Harris praised her professionalism and commitment to improvement.
Smerud describes Terland as a reserved individual with a great sense of humour, which adds depth to her character on and off the pitch. Though she has areas to refine—such as her hold-up play and left foot—her hunger to develop is palpable.
As Manchester United sit third in the WSL with a perfect three wins from three, the stage is set for Terland to make a significant impact in upcoming fixtures, including a potential return to Brighton’s Amex Stadium next weekend. The Norwegian starlet is quietly building her confidence and could soon send the football world into a frenzy.