Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says Ella Toone has “an opportunity” of being obtainable for February’s Champions League ties in opposition to Atletico Madrid.
England attacking midfielder Toone sustained a hip damage in late December that dominated her out of Saturday’s goalless draw with Arsenal within the Ladies’s Tremendous League.
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Skinner stated the issue was more likely to maintain Toone, 26, sidelined for “six to eight weeks” in complete.
About half that point has now elapsed, with United travelling to play Atletico within the Champions League final 16 on Thursday, 12 February and internet hosting the second leg seven days later.
In Toone’s absence, United have bolstered their assault with the signing of Sweden striker Ellen Wangerheim, 21, from Hammarby on a three-year deal.
Previous to final Saturday, Toone had featured in each WSL match for United this season, scoring 3 times and offering 5 assists.
With United nonetheless in rivalry for the three home competitions in addition to within the hunt for European silverware, Skinner has to stability the need to have Toone in his crew with the danger of probably accelerating her restoration too shortly.
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“There’s a probability she could possibly be again going into these home windows, nevertheless it strikes each day,” he stated. “It’s what’s greatest for Ella as properly.
“We won’t rush her again. She will likely be prepared for soccer earlier than the top of the season for positive.”
‘Uncommon discover’ Wangerheim ‘will get alive’ on the pitch
Sweden worldwide Ellen Wangerheim scored for Hammarby in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the 2024-25 Champions League [Getty Images]
Gifted Sweden striker Wangerheim is the most recent addition to a United assault that has additionally been strengthened with Germany star Lea Schuller this window.
Wangerheim arrives in Manchester after scoring 17 objectives for Hammarby to assist them end second within the Swedish league in November.
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She was an unused substitute for Sweden when England beat them on penalties within the European Championship quarter-finals final summer season.
Skinner stated the brand new signing will enable his aspect to be “extra unpredictable” of their quest to win titles this season.
“I assumed we have been turning into too predictable,” he stated. “The Manchester United spirit is about attacking with pace and invasion – and she or he brings that in abundance.
“She is a beautiful quiet character off the sphere. On it, she will get alive. She desires to take folks on and run behind and I felt we had misplaced that somewhat bit.
“She is 21 however has a lot expertise already. She had 3,000 minutes in 2025 however nonetheless sits within the class of us with the ability to add a number of high quality to her soccer too.
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“She is a uncommon discover.”
[BBC]
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are again for one more season of the Ladies’s Soccer Weekly podcast. New episodes drop each Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus discover interviews and additional content material from the Ladies’s Tremendous League and past on the