Ella Toone had come under heavy criticism before last night’s game in which Manchester United women drew away to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The visitors fell behind twice during the game as Brighton were more clinical with their chances and United dithered in the final third, however they fought hard to get back into the game both times and almost found a winner deep into injury time.

Toone dispelled any murmurs scrutinising her recent form with a world class strike which drew United level the first time, finding the top corner with a powerful shot from just outside the area.

Speaking to MUTV after the game she smiled when asked about the goal, saying: “It’s been a long time without a goal and for me, I want to be a player that scores and assists so it’s been difficult but I’ve made sure I’ve helped the team in different ways.”

Of the performance, she admitted: “We like to make it difficult for ourselves!”

She praised her teammates though for digging deep and managing to get something out of the game.

She said: “We showed character and came back from being down twice.”

She admitted that on any other day they would have liked to have taken more of the chances they created in front of goal and walked away with all three points.

“We need to be cleaner in the final third, our decision making and our end product need to be better,” she admitted.

Before last night’s game, United had won every match they’d played against Brighton.

“The WSL is getting harder and harder each year, teams are getting stronger and stronger and anyone can take points off anyone now.”

United’s next game is against Everton in the Conti Cup on Thursday night.

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If United could get the job done down south, they would go up to second place in the table.

After a ten minute delay to kick off due to the ambulance, required for health and safety, being stuck in traffic, a minutes silence was held as the last post echoed round the ground. Then United got things under way.

Former United keeper Sophie Baggaley was forced into an early save, tipping Malard’s shot over the bar.

United gave away a free kick in a dangerous area. It was soft but still managed to get Le Tissier into the book. It was dealt with well by United as Earps rose to collect.

Pressure mounted on United’s defence as Riviere put a good block in to deny Brighton the opener. A corner followed, it was cleared but it came in again and a strong header was needed from Turner to keep it out.

Following another Brighton corner, Earps got down well to stop a shot nestling into the bottom corner.

United had good spells going forward but it was the Seagulls that made breakthrough, Terland with a tap in from six yards out.

The United fans at the opposite end thought Geyse had found an equaliser and her first competitive goal for the club but it bounced out off the inside of the post.

United were growing into this game, a good cross in presented a chance for the Reds’ top scorer last season, Leah Galton, but she headed over the bar.

The second half began and there was early pressure from United but there was no one there when Toone crossed it in.

Geyse took a shot from the edge of the area, she turned well and had loads of time but her shot was weak and easily saved by Baggaley.

It was starting to look like Geyse was never going to score!

After letting Terland get the wrong side of her, Riviere brought her down giving away a free kick. Luckily Brighton couldn’t capitalise on it.

The home side found the goal again but luckily the offside flag was up.

Geyse had another shot on goal but she hit it as she was falling and booted it out of the ground.

After not having such a good game, Ella Toone silenced her critics and redeemed herself after a brilliant strike from the edge of the area flew past Baggaley and got United back level with 12 minutes of the 90 left to play.

At the other end, Brighton came close but Earps pushed it out for a corner.

A corner for United in the dying moments of the game found the head of Williams who found the outside of the post.

The game was end to end now and Earps made another fabulous save but it was out for a last minute corner for the home side and they found the goal.

With seven minutes of added time to play, was there any hope for United? Losing this would seriously dent their title hopes even this early on in the season.

They were trying and after they won a corner in the 98th minute, the fans believed!

Earps came up and Zelem delivered. Super sub Rachel Williams broke from her marker and slotted it in at the back post. The United fans almost fell off the terrace as they celebrated wildly!

It was a point rescued, it was not convincing and left them sixth in the table but it was better than a loss and United fans would take that on their long drive home.

Team: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Malard (Garcia 75), Zelem, Galton, Riviere, Hinata (Williams 75), Turner, Geyse

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Marc Skinner’s side has been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of their away trip to Brighton as Irene Guerrero is ruled out with an MCL injury.

Guerrero made her debut in United’s last match before the international break where they beat Everton 5-0 but unfortunately will be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

A number of key members of the squad came down with a sickness bug before the Everton clash which ruled them out, but Skinner told the press on Friday that everyone is now healthy and available.

Long-term injuries to Aoife Mannion, Gabby George and Emma Watson still see them out of the squad.

United have had a mixed start to the season, winning their opening game against Villa before being held to a draw by Arsenal and Leicester. They then thrashed Everton, picking up their first clean sheet of the season.

Meanwhile, Brighton have only won one of their opening four games and will be eager to get a result at home.

“I think Mel [Phillips] is transitioning her team from a very different type of team, they are very technical in how they set up,” Skinner said.

“Mel, I think is trying to take ownership in how she wants to play. They play some very good stuff. They have brought in some great players.”

The recent form of Ella Toone had also come under scrutiny recently but Skinner stood by the England international.

“Ella will judge herself on assists and goals because that is the type of player that she is.”

She started the Leicester game on the bench, the first time she’d been sidelined since February 2020.

“The reality is that against Leicester City we were rotating the squad. I am absolutely happy with Ella, I am absolutely happy with where she was at.”

United will take on Brighton at 18.45 at the Broadfield stadium.

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“I get angry when I get days off in the week,” Ella Toone says as she speaks of her passion for the beautiful game.

The Manchester United star was one of three Red Devils who helped the England Lionesses to the World Cup final this summer, another landmark ocassion in the 24 year old’s whirlwind career which has seen her have little time off in recent years.

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Toone spoke about the congested fixture list with international and domestic football seemingly coming one after the other: “Playing it and having so many games is definitely tough – mentally and physically – but for me I always find that energy to go out, improve as a player and keep getting better each game. I definitely don’t get bored or tired of it!”

In United’s recent 1-1 draw against Leicester City – the first time she’d been taken out of the starting 11 and placed on the sidelines since October 2020, Toone cut a frustrated figure as she warmed up, itching to get stuck in.

Toone continued: “I always want to play football, have a ball at my feet and that is when I’m happiest when I am on the football pitch so for me football is what I enjoy, what I love.”

The midfielder, a born and bred United fan, was an integral part of Skinner’s United side last year that secured their best ever finish in the league, went to an FA Cup final and secured Champions League football.

“Over the past five years we’ve definitely built on so much stuff. We’ve definitely bridged the gap on what you’d say are the top teams and yeah, I think this year is even more exciting than the last,” Toone said.

United have strengthened their squad significantly this season with the additions of Brazilian international Geyse, French forward Melvine Malard and World Cup Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa.

“They are struggling to understand a lot of English, and especially my English!” Toone laughs.

“Everyone who comes from abroad always says I’m the hardest to understand so I’ve started talking slower for them to understand me more.”

Despite the language barrier, Toone is giving her new teammates some pointers to help them settle in.

“I’ve told them definitely don’t get used to the sunny weather in Manchester because we don’t get a lot of it! It’s a lot of rain and a lot of wind.”

As well as some arrivals, there have been a number of departures too.

It is well known that Toone and Alessia Russo have been best friends since they were kids and with Russo leaving for rivals Arsenal in Summer, Toone has been questioned about her thoughts on her decision to depart.

“We won’t be friends for 90 minutes on a game day but I’m sure we’ll be fine after that,” Toone mused.

The pair played together in the academy before spending three years playing for United at senior level.

“She’s my best friend in football and away from football. We’ll always have that bond but people move on and people go on different journeys,” she said.

“Alessia has moved on and I wish her nothing but the best. It is hard when you’ve had her for three years by your side and then she gets off and goes and signs for a team you are fighting against.”

Toone has just arrived back from international duty with England but will be quickly switching focus to United’s next test against Brighton on Sunday.

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England Lionesses have lost 3-2 to Belgium in the Nations League, all but ending their hopes of qualifying for the Olympics next year.

The Lionesses are now third in their group having lost to the Netherlands and now Belgium.

England dominated the game seeing 73% of possession and having 17 attempts on goal compared to Belgium’s five but the hosts were more clinical.

The game was marred by the serious injury to Alex Greenwood which saw a 13 minute stoppage in play.

England started off brightly, controlling the ball well, but Belgium were sitting deep and the Lionesses had to be patient with their build up play.

Chloe Kelly gave away a free kick in a dangerous area early on, she was bullied off the ball and handled it when on the floor.

De Neve took it and Manchester United’s Mary Earps could not get across in time to keep it from nestling in the top corner.

After the delay following a nasty clash of heads between Greenwood and Blom, Bronze equalised with a looping header from a set piece before the returning Kirby put England ahead as Hemp pulled it back to her in the centre of the box.

Deep into stoppage time in the first half, Wullaert found herself through the middle of two England defenders and had the pace to shake them off, slotting it past Earps.

Earps had little to do in the first half. Except for the two goals they scored, Belgium had few chances.

Though England had dominated possession in the first half, they headed in all square at the break.

In the second half Belgium were much more organised and the game opened up. Wullaert came forward again and it took a superb save from Earps to keep the scores level.

England had chance after chance but they couldn’t find the target, former United star Alessia Russo dithered on a few occassions, afraid to shoot and when she did take a chance she found the side-netting, on more than one occassion.

A goal-line clearance denied the visitors in retaking the lead and though it seemed frantic in the box sometimes from Belgium they managed to clear their lines time after time and England were all out of ideas.

However, a chance for Belgium going forward saw a shot blocked by Stanway’s hand in the penalty area and the home side had an opportunity to take the lead.

Earps went the right way but Wullaert scored again.

For so long, under Sarina Wiegman, England have dominated with journalists and pundits viewing the side with rose tinted glasses but tonight they ran out of ideas of how to break Belgium down and let their guard down when their opponents had an opportunity to break.

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In action for the England Lionesses, who face Belgium tonight, is shot-stopper Mary Earps, who was instrumental in the Reds 5-0 thrashing of Everton last weekend.

Ella Toone, one of the most popular players amongst England and United fans, has also been called up for England’s crucial matches against Belgium.

Captain Katie Zelem and Maya Le Tissier are also in the squad alongside Grace Clinton, who is currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.

England face Belgium at home tonight before travelling to face them away next Tuesday.

They need a good win tonight as they currently sit in third in their group behind tonight’s opponents and the Netherlands, who beat them last time out.

A place in the Olympics next year is riding on progression out of the group.

Meanwhile, three United women have been called up for Wales, their young goalkeeper, Safia Middleton-Patel, midfield maestro Hayley Ladd and defender Gemma Evans.

Wales are in action against European runners up, Germany, tonight.

They are currently bottom of their group with no points on the board so far.

One of United’s star signings this summer, Geyse, has been called up for Brazil, who take on Canada tomorrow.

She will come up against her United teammate Jayde Riviere, who will play in defence for Canada.

Lucia Garcia will meet up with former teammate Ona Batlle as Spain take on Italy this evening in their Nations League clash.

The World Champions are currently top of their group having played two and won two.

Meanwhile, Norway take on France in group A2 and Lisa Naalsund will be a part of their squad.

They have drawn one and lost one so far with tonight’s opponents leading that group.

Hinata Miyazawa has been called up for training with Japan after a bright start to her season in the WSL.

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The Reds were the more dominant in the first half but Villa took the lead in the second.

Goals from Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams secured the three points for the Red Devils, though.

An early chance for Villa was comfortably saved for Mary Earps as she dived to her left, pushing it out for the first corner of the game.

United were energetic in the opening ten minutes, pressing well and winning the ball back. Their ideas going forward were good but their final passes were just a little too heavy.

Geyse lead a counter attack and came close to opening the scoring on her debut, but Van Domselaar got down well to tip her shot just wide of the post.

Galton had the best chance of the half as her shot from the edge of the area flew just wide.

Villa were worried about the pace and technical ability of Geyse and conceded a number of free kicks but despite strong deliveries from Zelem, United couldn’t capitalise. Villa had potential on the counter though and Lehmann had a golden opportunity to take the lead but she couldn’t keep her shot down.

Villa came out fighting in the second half and had a couple of chances going forward. Le Tissier put in a good block allowing United to counter.

Geyse showed great skill to break into the box but United couldn’t find the target. Moments later and Garcia, who had been solid all game had space to take a shot but again it flew over the bar.

Villa were growing into the game and there were some tired legs out there for United. A few heavy challenges were flying in from both sides and tensions were running high.

As Villa found themselves one on one with Earps, out of nowhere, Le Tissier came sliding in with a good challenge that the home side took offence to.

Moments later, former United player Hanson got a straight red for a high boot.

That spurred the home side on and Rachel Daly found space and slotted it past Earps.

United responded instantly and it was Garcia who was rewarded for her hard work all game by getting the equaliser from a corner.

In the 90th minute the Reds came close to taking the lead but van Domselaar made a fantastic save to deny the visitors. But with eight minutes of injury time to play, anything could happen and it was super sub Rachel Williams who found the target in the 92nd minute. Ecstasy in the away end!

Villa weren’t giving up though and a serious of corners in the dying moments were a cause for concern for the Reds, but they hang on for the three points.

Team: Earps, Turner, Le Tissier, George, Blundell, Zelem, Ladd (Miyazawa) Garcia, Toone, Geyse (Williams 66), Galton (Parris 71)

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A number of Manchester United players have been in action for their countries in the Women’s Nations League this past week.

Maya Le Tissier, Katie Zelem, Ella Toone and Mary Earps were all called up for the England Lionesses, who had a mixed start to their campaign.

They faced Scotland in their opening game, and beat their old rivals 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Zelem played a lovely long ball to pick out Lucy Bronze for England’s opening goal before Lauren Hemp doubled their lead.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United star, Kirsty Hanson gave Scotland hope in stoppage time at the end of the first half as she pulled one back.

On their second outing, the Lionesses battled against Sarina Wiegman’s former team, the Netherlands.

This time, the Lionesses were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line in Utrecht.

As the visitors tried to play out from the back, the Netherlands pressed well and intercepted in the final third.

Though it looked like Van de Donk received the ball in an offside position the flag stayed down as she played it back to Martens who looped it over the retreating Earps.

It was just what the hosts deserved who had been the better side for the opening 35 minutes.

It woke England up who responded by hitting the woodwork.

In the second half the reigning European Champions found a way back as another former United player, Alessia Russo found the back of the net.

It was England who had the better chances after that but the Dutch keeper, Daphne van Domselaar, who has just signed for Aston Villa, pulled off some impressive saves to deny the Lionesses.

It was the hosts who snatched the tie in the dying moments of the game as Greenwood gave the ball away in the centre of the pitch.

Jansen made a good run and smashed it into the top corner.

Elsewhere, United’s new signing Gemma Evans and Hayley Ladd were part of the Wales squad who suffered a 5-1 defeat to Denmark in Cardiff.

They also suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Iceland last Friday in their Nations League group game.

It was better news for Spain who beat Sweden 3-2 last week in a thrilling match up.

They then smashed five past Switzerland with United’s Lucia Garcia getting on the scoresheet.

It will be a quick turnaround for the international Reds as the domestic season kicks off on Sunday, when United will travel to Villa for their opening WSL game.

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Manchester United Women have beaten Liverpool 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at Carrington.

Ella Toone bagged herself a brace in the first half to put the hosts in a comfortable position but Natasha Flint pulled one back for the visitors just before the break.

New signing Geyse finished things off with a lovely strike from the edge of the area as she got her second goal for the club since her arrival last month.

Marc Skinner fielded a strong starting 11 with Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem returning to the starting line up for the first time since returning from the World Cup.

United started brightly, with an early chance for Nikita Parris who was tying the Liverpool defence in knots!

The Reds made the breakthrough less than fifteen minutes in when Leah Galton who has looked good all through pre-season picked out Toone with a lovely cross and the number seven side footed it past the Liverpool keeper.

After receiving the ball from Hayley Ladd, Toone found the back of the net once again as she chipped it over the keeper to double United’s lead.

Two for United, two for Toone

A confident finish from @EllaToone99 to double our lead #MUWomen

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 13, 2023

The Reds scorer almost turned provider as she picked out the head of Geyse with a lovely cross but the Brazilian could only steer it onto the woodwork.

Liverpool clawed one back as Emma Koivisto made a good run down the right and Earps couldn’t get a strong enough hand to her cross and United’s defence were not alert to the danger, allowing Flint to bundle it over the line at the back post.

In the second half, United made five substitutions and it was Liverpool who looked to be the more dominant side.

A corner led to a golden opportunity for the visitors as Marie Hobinger delivered and found Fisk on the edge of the area but her shot was just wide of the post.

United’s latest signing, Miyazawa got some minutes in the second half and looked promising, helping to create plenty of opportunities going forward for United.

It was the Japanese international who set up United’s third goal, winning possession on the edge of the area and finding Hannah Blundell who crossed it to Geyse.

From there, the Brazilian international danced round the Liverpool defence, patiently waiting for the space to open up before getting her shot away and finding the back of the net.

Nicely done, @Geyse_Ferreiraa #MUWomen

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 13, 2023

Liverpool had a couple of late chances to get back into the game but second half keeper Safia Middleton-Patel had a strong game and pulled off a few good saves.

It was a show of strength for the Reds who have just one game left before the season begins on October 1st.

Geyse is settling in to this squad well having already scored twice in pre-season.

Her goal today not only showed her skill but her calmness in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Gemma Evans linked up well with Millie Turner at the back and they could be a strong pairing going forward.

Miyazawa created chances and made a big impact from the moment she stepped onto the pitch whilst Ella Toone and Leah Galton, two members of the squad that were a part of that inaugural season, showed why they are consistently called upon by this club.

Though there may have been panic at the end of last season when Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle departed, today’s game showed that United have invested well and have a team that can compete for silverware in the season ahead.

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Manchester United’s Lionesses received a hero’s welcome as they returned to Carrington yesterday.

The trio made up of Katie Zelem, Ella Toone and Mary Earps were given a guard of honour by their teammates and presented with a bouquet of flowers each as they reunited with the squad.

They had little time to reacquaint themselves as they immediately hopped on a flight to Germany for a pre-season training camp.

Upon their arrival, they prepared for the trip to Germany with a gym session followed by training on the pitches before departing for the airport.

The group will spend the week at the Adidas campus in Herzogenaurach and face Bayern there on Wednesday.

The match will be United’s third pre-season game following a 2-2 draw with Leicester and a 1-0 win over Everton in the last few weeks.

This week will see them undergo a series of sessions at Herzogenaurach as well as having some downtime including bowling and meals out.

Our squad for Germany includes summer signings such as Geyse, Gemma Evans, Evie Rabjohn and Emma Watson.

The return of our three Lionesses means the entire squad is back together for the first time since the end of last season.

Also included are youngsters Alyssa Aherne and Safia Middleton-Patel.

Meanwhile, Earps is still at the centre of a bidding war as United look to extend her contract whilst Arsenal prepare to launch a fresh bid for the England shot-stopper.

United will be keen to secure her signature before the season begins on October 1st.

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