Elisabeth Terland interview: 'I want to win with this team'
Manchester United striker speaks exclusively to The Cutback about her love for the club and what the future holds
When you think of goals and Manchester United, there’s only one player that comes to mind.
Elisabeth Terland has topped the team’s scoring charts for the last two seasons, since her arrival from Brighton in the summer of 2024, and quickly become an integral part of United’s attacking line.
Now, having just completed an international window with Norway, Terland is facing a summer of potential change, as reports indicate the 24-year-old could be leaving United in the coming months.
Terland’s contract was initially due to expire at the end of this season, but in January United triggered an option and extended it to the summer of 2027.
It’s not surprising that clubs would have their eye on the striker, as she’s been one of the most consistent No 9s in the WSL in recent years.
Terland made the move to England from Norwegian side Brann in 2022 at the age of 20. She knew it was the right time to move, with Brighton being the first destination. “I felt ready when I moved and I think that showed in my performance and my ability to adapt to the league, I was ready”, she tells The Cutback, speaking from Norway’s most recent international camp.
In her two seasons on the south coast, Terland scored 20 goals in 39 WSL games. Also picking up the Brighton player of the season award for the 2023-24 season.
Those performances caught the eye of United, who secured her signature in June 2024. Making the move from Brighton was the “perfect” choice, with United needing a centre forward with league experience.
When you think of goals and Manchester United, there’s only one player that comes to mind.
Elisabeth Terland has topped the team’s scoring charts for the last two seasons, since her arrival from Brighton in the summer of 2024, and quickly become an integral part of United’s attacking line.
Now, having just completed an international window with Norway, Terland is facing a summer of potential change, as reports indicate the 24-year-old could be leaving United in the coming months.
Terland’s contract was initially due to expire at the end of this season, but in January United triggered an option and extended it to the summer of 2027.
It’s not surprising that clubs would have their eye on the striker, as she’s been one of the most consistent No 9s in the WSL in recent years.
Terland made the move to England from Norwegian side Brann in 2022 at the age of 20. She knew it was the right time to move, with Brighton being the first destination. “I felt ready when I moved and I think that showed in my performance and my ability to adapt to the league, I was ready”, she tells The Cutback, speaking from Norway’s most recent international camp.
In her two seasons on the south coast, Terland scored 20 goals in 39 WSL games. Also picking up the Brighton player of the season award for the 2023-24 season.
Those performances caught the eye of United, who secured her signature in June 2024. Making the move from Brighton was the “perfect” choice, with United needing a centre forward with league experience.
Her first season for the Red Devils saw her net 10 goals in 18 games in the WSL, a solid return for her new club. The confidence on the pitch was likely also helped by how quickly Terland settled at the club, thanks in part to a lifelong love for United.
Terland’s connection to the club also helped her adjust to life in Manchester. “I’ve felt at home since the day I joined the club,” she says, “there’s nothing like playing in front of the United fans”.
Terland quickly became a fans favourite at United, and the love from the fans is a big motivation for the Norwegian forward. “It means everything. You of course want to win for yourself but those are the people you want to win for and want to perform for.
“I feel like after playing a few games, being around the team and the club, you really feel how big it is. There’s no other team I want to win with, obviously I want to win with other teams but the feeling of winning with that team and that club is something different. It’s been a good move for me to come to United, for me as a player I’ve had some good opportunities to play and develop as well in a better team”, she adds.
Her most recent second season saw her net just six WSL goals, however it was United’s joint-highest in the league alongside Jess Park and Melvine Malard. Terland finished top scorer overall in 2025-26, with 15 goals in all competitions. Despite her goal tally in the league dropping, she still had the highest goals per 90 (0.56) and shots on target per 90 (2.4) out of any player at the club last season.
Terland has found her community in the United camp too, regularly playing golf with Maya Le Tissier and Fridolina Rolfo, and relaxing in her time away from the pitch. “It’s a bit more laid back, we support each other a lot and want each other to get better - so we’re not taking the p*** out of each other, we just want to get better together.”
Growing up in Norway and playing football from a young age with her brother Jan, there weren’t many female role models for Terland to look up to in the football world. Now being a professional footballer herself, Terland is in the position to inspire the next generation of girls, calling it the “most powerful thing” a player can feel, also adding it’s her “biggest motivation” when on the pitch.
With reports circling that Terland may be leaving United this summer, the striker is coy about her future. “I can’t say too much”, Terland tells The Cutback.
“I have one more year left. I’ve said before that I want to stay and I want to win with this team. I want to do well for this club, as a fan as well it’s something I want to do. We’ll see where we end up, but that’s at least what I want.”
Many United fans believe that the club has only just scratched the surface of Terland’s full potential on the pitch. Despite the goal tally dropping last season in the WSL, her clinical nature in front of goal was on show throughout the 2025-26 season. Keeping hold of a top scorer who wants to stay at the club and is a childhood United fan, seems like it should be a given, but in the world of football anything can happen.
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