‘Crazy’ – Maya Le Tissier never expected Manchester United captaincy

Maya Le Tissier says she never expected to be given the role of captaincy at Manchester United.

After a strong start to the new season for Marc Skinner’s side, Le Tissier believes her team have found a new winning culture, after reaching the first international break of the season without a defeat.

That includes four wins and a draw after a summer of wholesale changes to the squad. United said goodbye to Lioness trio Mary Earps, Nikita Parris and Katie Zelem, who was the previous captain – before Le Tissier was given the honour and extra responsibility at the age of 22.

United also added six new players to Skinner’s squad, including Norway international Celin Bizet from under Tottenham’s nose.

“It’s a really positive place to be,” Le Tissier told The Guardian. “There’s a different culture within the team, a very young team.

“I never thought when I was playing back home that I’d be United captain at 22. It’s crazy. Even when some of our players left in the summer, I thought maybe I’d like to be in the mix but I’m still quite young so I didn’t know if [Marc Skinner] would give the captaincy to me. When he did, I was so excited.

“I’m quite a mature person. I moved away from home when I was 16. My journey has made me the leader and the player I am today. I’m very grateful for my upbringing back home in Guernsey. There’s a lot of challenges coming from an island but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Maya Le Tissier waxes lyrical over Manchester United team-mate Grace Clinton

As captain, Le Tissier also named dropped a team-mate who has been thriving at United since returning from a loan spell at Tottenham.

Grace Clinton’s record is not something to be underestimated as she has scored three goals in four league games from midfield.

“Her loan moves have done her a world of good,” Le Tissier added.

“She came in at United at exactly the same time as me. She’d say she probably wasn’t ready either. She’s gone to Bristol [City] and Spurs and done unbelievably well. She’s one of our best players. She’s taken that opportunity and grabbed it with both hands and come back to United smashing it. She’s going to be a very important player for United and England.”

Le Tissier is currently on international duty with England. They take on Germany in a friendly match at Wembley on Friday.