Match Appearance #45
United 3-0 Tottenham, 19 January 2020
Context: On a foggy day in Leigh, our number 7 receives the first red card of her career during a WSL victory over Tottenham…
“The fog was unforgettable. I came on in the 70th minute and was back off the pitch shortly after due to Ella’s red card from a brief altercation with the opposition. I wasn’t pleased not being in the starting lineup; that’s just football, and my emotions got the best of me at that moment. Experiences like that teach you a lot. I was suspended for three matches because of it, and I hated every second of not being able to play – I remember vowing, ‘I will never get a red card again’. Ironically, I did get another against Spurs in February 2023, but it was rescinded, so I guess I got lucky! There must be something about Spurs that really gets to me! On the bright side, I formed a lasting friendship with Abbie McManus. I knew her from our time at City, but we really bonded after she joined United. She’s become like a big sister to me and is very close to both me and my family. It’s wonderful to meet people during your journey who become friends for life.”
Match Appearance #47
Everton 2-3 United, 23 February 2020
Context: Ella scores the final goal before lockdown, leading us to victory against Everton at their (old) new home, Walton Hall Park…
“Is this the Everton match at their home ground? It’s quite different from where we just faced them this month! The new Hill Dickinson Stadium is fantastic. I’ve never played at Goodison, so I was really excited. When they announced we’d be playing at the men’s stadium, I thought, ‘That’s awesome!’ It’s a beautifully done stadium, and thankfully, we secured the win. It’s a memorable moment from 2020 at their old stadium; it’s wild to think about what was about to happen shortly after that game.”
Match Appearance #56
United 0-0 (4-3 penalties) Man City, 19 November 2020
Context: A closed-doors derby marks our first-ever penalty shoot-out, granting us a bonus point in the League Cup group stage…
“Was this against City? There’s a really nice photo from that match, featuring so many people. I must have come on during this game because I never wear a skin! [Toone was indeed a substitute in the 68th minute]. If I were starting, I wouldn’t have worn that! [Laughs] Was it Bardsley or Roebuck in goal for City? [Bardsley]. I do recall we won that match, and look at all those players like Christen Press – she was someone I admired for a long time before she became a United player. Sharing the field with her and Tobin [Heath], too [who had been substituted by the time of the shoot-out]… It’s a pity they didn’t get to experience the fans because Tobin really loved Manchester United – she adored the people and the city. It would have been great for her to have a proper experience here. We haven’t had a true shoot-out in a knockout tie yet, and honestly, that’s fine with me! Leah and I are the only ones left from this picture, and Leah hasn’t changed much; just a few more tattoos!”
Match Appearance #68
United 2-0 West Ham, 27 March 2021
Context: A landmark day as United Women take the pitch at Old Trafford for the first time – unfortunately, no fans could share in the WSL victory…
“This was a historic day for the club, playing at Old Trafford for the first time, but it was such a pity that there were no fans in attendance. It felt so strange – I had never played in front of such an empty stadium before [due to Covid]. Walking out at Old Trafford without my family there was surreal. Despite the oddity, we had to focus and get the job done. The good news is that since then, we have been able to play at Old Trafford multiple times with fans present.”
