Toone sets out stall after heroic derby performance

Monday 20 January 2025 15:49

Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone says her hat-trick in Sunday’s WSL win at Man City was an indicator of just how much she is enjoying her football at the minute.

Our no.7 was the star of the show in an instant derby classic at the Etihad Stadium, as her three goals helped United to triumph 4-2, and record our first-ever win away at City Women.

It may come as little surprise therefore that Ella, who was named the Barclays Player of the Match for her efforts, also scooped our own prize with an enormous 87 per cent of the fan vote.

Our supporters saw an individual performance that our midfielder says was her happy self, performing to the best of her abilities on the pitch.

“I am [enjoying my football],” Ella told MUTV’s Ben Ibson after the game. “It was tough the first half of the season for me, and I probably wasn’t loving it as much as I should have been. I took the time away to make sure I was physically ready but more importantly mentally ready, and that I missed the game.

“Today just sums it up. I’m so happy, I’m enjoying my football, and I know that’s what I can do when I’m enjoying it.

“To score against City as a United fan means a lot. I haven’t scored against City before, so it was nice to get a hat-trick – I’m buzzing and want to continue performing like this with that positivity and that freedom. Hopefully I can keep helping the team.”

After making 96 successive league starts for United, our all-time top appearance-maker and goalscorer missed our final six matches before the recent winter break due to injury.

But she returned to action in brilliant fashion during our first game of 2025 just over a week ago, by netting a stunning goal off the bench in the 7-0 FA Cup victory over West Brom, and has now backed up that strike with three more in our maiden league outing of the new year.

While she was pleased with the way she was able to contribute at the Etihad Stadium, make no mistake about it, Tooney sees our latest result as another all-round team effort.

Toone: I’m enjoying my football Video

Toone: I’m enjoying my football

Ella Toone says she’s buzzing after United perfectly executed our game plan against City…

“I thought we stuck to the gameplan really well tonight,” the England international explained, in her MUTV interview. “We put pressure on them high up, won the ball back in high areas and managed to put it to bed.

“There were times in the game where they really dominated the ball and controlled the ball, but defensively I thought we were solid. All of us gave it our all, stuck together and worked hard – it shows the personality of this team.

“And to win a Manchester derby? It means a lot.”

Tooney and co will now be targeting another Manchester derby victory on Wednesday, when the teams meet again in the Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-final. You can get your tickets for that Leigh Sports Village clash here.

Toone sets out stall after heroic derby performance