Women’s football is set for another thrilling week as the UEFA Women’s Champions League second qualifying round kicks off, with Manchester United’s ambitions, Arsenal’s strategic loan moves, and the ongoing evolution of the competition itself all taking center stage. The action begins on August 27, 2025, when Manchester United face PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals of Group 1, hosted by Hammarby, as part of the newly reformatted knockout mini-tournaments. With high stakes and new faces, anticipation is running high across Europe.
Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier has set the tone for her team’s campaign, emphasizing intensity and unity as United look to progress beyond their previous best in Europe. “It’s going to be exciting,” she told the club’s television channel. “I’ve had a little bit of experience, playing the qualifying games two years ago. Hopefully it’s a better outcome this time. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Le Tissier, who joined United from Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2022 and assumed the captaincy following Katie Zelem’s move to Angel City in 2024, is no stranger to pressure. Her leadership will be crucial as United attempt to improve on their last Champions League effort, which ended with an aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second qualifying round. “The way that we did it last season [to qualify for the Champions League] was great and it was really hard fought, and we’ll make sure we carry that spirit into the games to come,” she said.
This year, the Champions League has undergone a significant transformation. The traditional 16-team group stage has been replaced by an 18-club league phase, reflecting the growing stature and competitiveness of women’s club football across Europe. Arsenal, as reigning champions, are among the nine clubs to gain direct entry into the league phase. The remaining nine slots will be decided through a rigorous three-round qualifying process, split into a champions path and a league path. Manchester United, along with 14 other teams, are currently battling through four mini-tournaments, with only the group winners advancing to the next stage.
United’s journey begins with a midday clash against PSV Eindhoven on August 27, followed by either a final or third-place match on August 30, all hosted by Swedish side Hammarby. The stakes are high: a single slip could see United miss out on the next round, while victory would mean a coveted spot in the third qualifying round, where they’d join heavyweights like Real Madrid, Häcken, Paris FC, Atlético de Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Sporting CP. The draw for this crucial round is set for August 31, with two-legged ties scheduled for September 11 and 18.
Le Tissier, who was part of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad that successfully defended their UEFA Women’s Euro title by beating Spain on penalties in Basel on July 27, brings valuable international experience to United’s European quest. “It was really cool,” she recalled of her Euro campaign. “It was great to be a part of the team, and I learnt a lot when I was away. I came away with the gold medal, which was really good.” Despite a shortened off-season due to her international commitments, Le Tissier is undeterred: “I’m very lucky to be part of the Euros squad and would never not want to be a part of that, so I’m ready for the new season now.”
United’s style of play under Marc Skinner is expected to be energetic and aggressive. “We want to play with intensity, we want to defend, we want to run forward, we really want to work hard for each other,” Le Tissier explained. That collective spirit could be the difference as United seek to navigate the high-pressure environment of Champions League qualifiers.
Elsewhere in the women’s football landscape, Arsenal are taking a long-term view with their emerging stars. Nineteen-year-old striker Michelle Agyemang will spend a second successive season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, a move designed to give her vital first-team experience in the Women’s Super League. Agyemang, who has been with Arsenal since she was six, made a strong impression at Brighton last season, netting five goals in 22 appearances and earning a nomination for the WSL Rising Star award. Her international credentials were further burnished at Euro 2025, where she scored twice and was named Young Player of the Tournament as England lifted the trophy.
Arsenal’s director of women’s football, Clare Wheatley, expressed the club’s support for Agyemang’s development: “We’re so proud of Michelle’s achievements this summer and throughout her journey at Arsenal, from her first steps in our academy through to our first-team squad. After discussing closely with Michelle and her family, we have all agreed that this move will provide Michelle with a further opportunity to develop and grow, as she continues to progress as a young player and person. We wish Michelle every success at Brighton and look forward to welcoming her back to Arsenal at the end of her loan.”
The decision reflects Arsenal’s depth and ambition. With fierce competition for places under head coach Renee Slegers, the club sees regular minutes at WSL level as crucial for Agyemang’s continued growth. Having already made six senior appearances for Arsenal—including a debut goal against Leicester in 2022—Agyemang’s challenge now is to convert her international momentum into consistent domestic performances. For Arsenal, the hope is that she returns sharper, more experienced, and ready to push for a permanent place in the first team.
Back in the Champions League, the new format means more teams than ever are in with a shout of reaching the lucrative league phase. The second qualifying round’s mini-tournaments are packed with storied clubs and ambitious debutants. Teams like Sparta Praha, Brann, Glasgow City, and Roma bring rich continental pedigrees, while newcomers such as Aktobe and Inter are eager to make their mark. Historical notes abound: Sparta Praha are making their 22nd entry, behind only SFK 2000 Sarajevo’s record 23, and several teams are past quarter-finalists or group stage veterans.
As the action unfolds, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see which teams can navigate the new landscape. Arsenal’s direct entry means they’ll be waiting in the wings, but for United and others, every match is a must-win. Meanwhile, the Women’s Europa Cup offers a new safety net for those who fall short in the Champions League, ensuring that the drama and opportunity continue deep into the autumn.
With fresh faces, evolving formats, and the promise of unforgettable moments, the coming week is poised to deliver another chapter in the rapid rise of women’s club football. Whether it’s United’s quest for European progress, Agyemang’s development at Brighton, or the broader reshaping of the competition, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow as the season gets underway.
