Manchester United Women defender Aoife Mannion feels she is continuing to adapt, after racking up 50 appearances for the Reds.

The 29-year-old hit the landmark in the win over Aston Villa, becoming the 21st player to do so here, and is pleased with the resilience she has shown to reach the half-century.

In an exclusive interview with the matchday programme, available at Leigh Sports Village when Marc Skinner’s side tackle Everton on Sunday (12:00 BST kick-off), the Republic of Ireland international accepts there have been obstacles and challenges along the way, since joining in 2021.

“When I look at 50 games across four years, it’s not much,” she said. “But with the experience I’ve had and the cards I’ve been dealt, and how it’s been up and down, I look at it as though it’s been 400 games!

’50 games – it feels like 400!’ Video

The joy of representing the Reds will never be lost on Aoife Mannion! In this chat, United Women’s no.5 tells us why…

“I really appreciate what a joy it is, and continues to be, to be involved in this team.”

In terms of personal highlights, she’s quick to pick out a pair of famous wins. “The first is against Arsenal [at Leigh Sports Village in April 2023, when Aoife was named Player of the Match] – it was my first 90 minutes back following my anterior-cruciate ligament injury. We won, and we came second in the league that year.

“And then there’s the FA Cup final win against Spurs last season – that was madness! It was the context as well – we were 4-0 up when I came on [in the 78th minute]. In those few moments, to be able to appreciate the gravity of what’s happening – the amount of fans at Wembley, the occasion, and that it was so sunny that day. That day can’t be topped.”

Continuing to learn all the time, and adjust to different circumstances, is something that Mannion feels is imperative at the top level, as the Reds look for three points against a Toffees side she acknowledges “are a really good team with some results to back it up”.

“I think, through getting older and having experiences, it becomes imperative to adapt,” she added. “For example, in my last international game, I thought I was going to play centre-back, but somebody got injured in the warm-up so I played the first half at left-back and the second half at right-back.

“For some, that wouldn’t really be their jam, but I think the more I try to be adaptable and flexible in my thinking and try to be resilient, the thing that remains is that I can always give everything and give an honest account of myself.

“I think, generally, people can see that and appreciate that. So I don’t mind it – I actually almost crave those moments where it’s a bit of a challenge.”

Get your copy of the official programme at Sunday’s game against Everton.

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Portuguese icon Paulo Futre has described Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a legend.

The former Atletico Madrid star, who had spell in the Premier League with West Ham United, was at Carrington recently to interview our skipper, in his role as a TV pundit back home.

While naturally retaining a soft spot for the Hammers, he hopes Bruno, alongside Diogo Dalot and playing for head coach Ruben Amorim, can achieve success and more silverware with the Reds, a club he clearly has an enormous amount of respect for.

“Bruno is a great person and a great player,” Futre told us after his chat with our in-form no.8. “He is a great example to all Portuguese players.

“He leads the team and hates to lose. And he can decide a match.

“It is difficult currently [for United] but I really want him to succeed – and the same with Ruben and Diogo.

“My preference is for West Ham but I would be happy if United won [the league]!”

Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from another international strike after playing with Fernandes and Dalot, shows no signs of letting up on his personal crusade to smash all goal records.

The global superstar, who enjoyed two spells with United of course, was developed at Sporting, like Futre, but even his fellow countryman admits it would have been hard to predict just how brilliant he has managed to become, when making that step in early in his career to move to Manchester.

“Very difficult,” said Futre. “We knew he was great. With his work and dedication at a young age, we knew he was going to be a great. However, it was impossible to see the animal he would become.”

Obviously, one of the great debates that rages in football is where does Ronaldo sit when it comes to the best player of all time. One of the other challengers to this claim is clearly Diego Maradona and Futre is well judged to pass comment, having played alongside the Argentinian marvel in a Football League Centenary game at Wembley back in 1987.

It was an occasion he remembers well, even if our very own Bryan Robson (2) and Norman Whiteside got the goals to ensure defeat for the Rest of the World XI, managed by Terry Venables.

“It was an all-star game, so I was honoured,” he recalled. “When I saw the list and saw Maradona’s name, I thought ‘wow’ and didn’t know if I was going to play or not. I was so happy when he read the names out.

“Eight – Lineker, nine – Platini, 10 – Maradona and 11 – Futre. It was a great game but we lost 3-0.”

When asked how he’d compare Maradona with Ronaldo, he replied: “Well, Maradona and Lionel Messi have more talent. I think Cristiano is the most complete player, though. It is so difficult.

“It wouldn’t be fair not to mention Pele too.”

Robson ran the show at Wembley in the centenary game and collected the trophy from Pele after the final whistle.

Our former captain had been a formidable opponent for Futre’s Atletico Madrid when the two teams met in the 1991/92 European Cup-Winners’ Cup, when Alex Ferguson’s men were the holders.

“I first watched him play when I was 14 and I was able to play against him too,” added the Portuguese. “I look at him with a lot of admiration. I first played against him for Portugal and then, after that, with Manchester United.

“He is a very different player to me, he is a box-to-box number eight, whereas I am more attacking.”

Futre will be watching United’s progress with interest, as his fellow countrymen look to continue making a big impact at Old Trafford.

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