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Ladd hopes Wales duty can ease Man Utd Champions League pain
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Phil Blanche
Press Association
Hayley Ladd missed Manchester United's 5-0 win over Everton
Hayley Ladd missed Manchester United's 5-0 win over Everton

Hayley Ladd hopes Wales' Nations League double-header can ease the pain of Manchester United's Women's Champions League elimination. 

Ladd was part of the squad beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain as the Red Devils failed to reach the Champions League group stage.

On the 3-1 defeat in Paris which confirmed their fate, she said: "The result on Wednesday was tough, it was hard to take because everyone left everything on the pitch.

"At United, we're probably quite early on in our journey. To qualify for the first time through the qualifying stages and beat PSG would have been a huge leap realistically.

"With Wales, it seems a longer journey in terms of a time frame but it is similar in overcoming a big hurdle and a big ambition [qualifying for a major tournament].

"When you have those setbacks it builds your resilience as a squad and you've always got goals in mind. But I know I'm in two good environments to get better."

Hayley Ladd joined Manchester United from Birmingham in 2019
Hayley Ladd joined Manchester United from Birmingham in 2019

Ladd missed United's 5-0 win at Everton last Sunday as Marc Skinner's side bounced back from their Paris disappointment.

The 30-year-old was among those suffering from a sickness bug that swept through the United camp.

But Ladd has recovered in time to take her usual place in the Wales defence this week against Germany in Sinsheim on Friday and the return game against Denmark in Viborg four days later.

Wales lost the opening two games of their Nations League A campaign last month to Iceland and the Danes.

Ladd added: "Those losses have stripped everything back. We need to get that identity back where we've been so strong in terms of our defensive foundation. 

"The top teams are going to punish you if things are not quite right and, from a defensive side, we have to switch back on.

"This is maybe a bit of redemption, especially the Denmark game, to play with as much energy and passion as possible.

"I believe we can hurt teams, especially on the break and show them what we're capable of doing."

Tags

Manchester United WomenWomen's Super LeagueWomen’s Champions LeagueWales W
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