Who was Player of the Match against Leicester?

Manchester United felt the intensity of being back in action so soon after February’s international break for the visit of Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, but still managed to extend the current winning run to a seventh league game.

Leicester fought back admirably in the second half and crafted a number of chances that they ultimately weren’t able to take. Those that did hit the target were gathered expertly by Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who also claimed multiple high crosses to alleviate pressure on the Reds defence.

In Marc Skinner’s words, United’s players, many of whom reported back to Carrington after international duty with only a day or two to train, were “fuming” with the second half. It highlights the standards that the team have come to expect from themselves.

United had dominated the first half and took a 2-0 lead into the break that proved to be enough to claim maximum points come full-time around an hour later.

With Elisabeth Terland not involved due to a knock, Melvine Malard was an addition to the starting line-up in the ‘number-nine’ role – reflective of the digit on her back – and took her opportunity gladly.

Malard was at the heart of everything that was good about the Reds in an attacking sense. She led the line incredibly well and opened the scoring after 19 minutes in superb fashion. The goal was epitome of keeping a cool head when it mattered most, using her pace to latch onto a through pass, before sitting down Leicester goalkeeper with a feint without actually touching the ball. The finish was just as good.

The France international worked well in tandem with Leah Galton all afternoon, laying on our second goal for the relentless winger, and the pair came second and third respectively in the running to be named our Player of the Match, a vote decided by supporters in the United App.

Malard claimed 29 per cent of all selections – to finish narrowly behind our winner – while Galton rounded out the medal places with 10 per cent after her own fine showing.

Today’s honours were claimed, however, by Ella Toone, after our no.7 put on another impressive display just days after helping England to beat world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium.

Ella set up Malard’s all-important opener on the afternoon, threading through a perfect pass to create a one-on-one opportunity, and got the ‘assist before the assist’ after feeding the ball into the latter again in the build-up to Galton’s goal.

Those involvements were the highlight of another impactful showing from Toone, who has arguably been United’s form player so far in 2025.

Thank you to everyone who voted, and congratulations to Tooney on scooping the prize.

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