Maya Le Tissier reflects on Manchester United captaincy chat with Sir Alex Ferguson that left her speechless
MAYA LE TISSIER joked that Sir Alex Ferguson left her speechless when the pair chatted about her Manchester United captaincy.
And the Red Devils ace wants to be a skipper who wears her heart on her sleeve with her team ready to take down their WSL title rivals.
Tomorrow Le Tissier, 22, will lead her team-mates out as captain for the first time at Old Trafford.
Marc Skinner’s side will face West Ham in the opening fixture of the new Women’s Super League season.
The 12midday clash comes 19 days after the England defender spoke with Sir Alex about what it means to be a Man United captain.
The duo were watching Erik ten Hag’s men’s side take on Liverpool at Old Trafford, a Prem clash that United lost 3-0.
Le Tissier recalled: “It was unbelievable. There are not many people who leave me speechless and I didn’t know what to say to him.
“It was at half time when they (the men’s team) played Liverpool.
“They were losing at that point and I was thinking I don’t know what mood he’s going to be in.
“But he was so nice and it was so surreal and he spoke to me about the responsibility of being captain. It was great to meet him.”
Since her July 2022 Manchester move from Brighton, Le Tissier has become a first team regular appearing in every single one of United’s league games in the past two seasons.
The defender, whose side finished fifth last term, hopes to bring consistency on the pitch as captain and good vibes off it.
She added: “It’s definitely about consistency first of all, and to make myself available for every game.
“I think that’s the best thing you can give to your team-mates and to staff.
“That’s my job to be there ready and to help the team.
“On the pitch I wear my heart on my sleeve.
“People know I’m with them, committed to them and will fight for them every single time.
“Now there’s a bit more responsibility on the pitch to make things a little bit calmer.
“It’s not something that I’ve had to really do, so I’ll make sure that I can really improve that.
“Off the pitch, I’m just a sociable person.
“I like to chat to anyone to be fair, unless it’s Sir Alex and then I don’t know what to say!”
Le Tissier receiving the skipper’s armband this month, coincided with her United and England team-mate Ella Toone, 25, being named vice-captain.
The Euros-winning midfielder, who scored in her side’s first-ever FA Cup final win in May, has made more than 150 United appearances .
Le Tissier added: “Ella has been in so many finals and delivered in every single big moment.
“It’s amazing to be on the same journey with her and to work together.
“We’ve made it really clear that it’s not just being captain.
“It’s me, her and the rest of the team and the leadership group as well.
“It means a lot for me and Toons to be a part of it, especially her being a United fan who is from Manchester.”
Since beginning her senior career five years ago at Albion, Le Tissier has emerged as one of the biggest football talents to come from Guernsey.
If I can give the next generation a bit more support, I’ll feel like I’ve done my job.
Maya Le Tissier
Another star from the island who took the sport by storm is Southampton icon Matt Le Tissier, although the pair are not related.
Like her namesake the defender, whose football journey began at a boys’ team called St Martins, hopes to be an inspiration for young players back home.
Le Tissier said: “It means a lot to me to show them that you can do it, you can get to the top.
“That’s not to say that I’m there now, but I’m on my way.
“If I can create some here and there and give the next generation a bit more support, I’ll feel like I’ve done my job.”
“I remember (when I was living in Guernsey) I just wanted go over to the Women’s Super League and play as a pro.
“That was the only thing I had in my mind.
“When I went to Brighton, I thought (to myself), ‘I’m just going to go all the way now’.
“I’m in it for the long run so I’m just going to do as best as I can.
“And that’s brought me here today as captain
“I’m really appreciative of the opportunities that have come my way and I can’t wait to see what else comes.”