20 Questions with Maya Le Tissier

1) What's your first memory?

I actually don't think I remember anything until when I started playing football. I was four and my dad took me to my first training session with the boys. He was the coach as well. He wasn't sure how it was going to go with the boys and wondered whether I should sit out the first bit. I was thinking, 'No chance, I want to get in there'.

2) If you could go back in time, would you? And where would you go?

I went to Barbados a couple of summers ago and it was incredible. In football, I'd go back to the 2019 Under-17 Euros when we should have done so much better. We were knocked out of the groups and it was so frustrating. Then the 2020 Under-19 World Cup was called off because of Covid. We could have achieved a lot more around that time.

3) What do you most like about yourself?

I think I'm quite positive on and off the pitch. I'm a bubbly person who will speak to anyone. I think I've got a good attitude.

4) What is your biggest achievement?

I think obviously making my England debut and signing for Manchester United are big achievements. Where I'm from in Guernsey there's no pathway to play for England so I'm proud that I created the pathway that other girls can look at and think they can achieve it.

5) What is your worst habit?

I sometimes think without speaking and I'm a very honest person so I can sometimes put my foot in it.

6) What makes you most angry?

Probably losing, especially if we haven't performed how we should. That's what I get most mad about. If I've not performed then I get angry at myself.

7) Who is your biggest influence?

My family took a lot of time out of work to travel over to England, flying over, because I couldn't do it myself. They spent a lot of time and money doing that for me. When I was younger, my dad was my coach from ages four to 16. He's a big influence on me. It can be hard for them now when I'm spoken about a bit back at home, because not many people there are in the public eye. They deal with that really well – apart from my little brother, who told his teacher I could get him United tickets! Other than that, they do great.

8) How do you react to pressure?

I can overthink but generally my reactions are OK.

9) When do you feel most at ease?

When I'm being myself, just relaxed and comfortable. On the pitch, I'd say when I'm in the flow, playing games, and playing well. You're going to have ups and downs but it's lovely when everything's just going right for you.

10) What do you dream about in your sleep?

Winning. Just winning everything all the time. A lot of football stuff and then some pretty random stuff.

11) What's your favourite phrase or word?

'Everything happens for a reason.' It's an important one to keep things in perspective.

12) What reminds you of home?

The beach. Obviously living in Manchester now there's nothing like that around. It's not the same at all so I like going home a lot. We can't go much during the season but it's always nice.

13) Are you superstitious?

I am, yeah. Pre-match I always have the same thing and I swapped it midway during the season so I got really stressed. I swapped from porridge to coco pops and now I've stuck with that. I always eat pasta the night before a game. I always have a banana before a game and I've got to click my neck twice in the tunnel before I go out.

14) What makes you cry?

When things go wrong, I suppose. I don't connect to films and stuff that well, I get bored too easily, so they never quite get me.

15) Which one song makes you feel good?

An album I always listen to is We the Generation by Rudimental. Me and my dad always listened to it in the car so it reminds me of home and it puts me at ease.

16) What is your biggest obstacle?

Being too hard on myself. It doesn't help me whatsoever. I overthink quite a bit as well so that's probably another one. Generally my reaction to stuff is OK but I can go too far with it.

17) What is your favourite place in the world?

Back home – or Barbados! Back home because it's so nice and I have a lot of good memories of it.  

18) What is your most valuable possession?

My dog. I love him. He's so cute. He tries to escape all the time but when I come home he doesn't care how my day's been, he just wants to cuddle me.

19) What is your worst fear?

I don't like spiders.

20) How would you like to be remembered?

Just as someone who had a positive impact on people, inside or outside of football. Someone who was positive and had a good vibe.