Ella Toone living Manchester United 'dream' thanks to growth of women's football

All Ella Toone ever wanted to do was play professional football for Manchester United.

In 2018, when the club made the decision to launch a Women's Super League team, that dream turned into reality.

But being selected for the England national team was also on the Tyldesley native's radar.

Despite receiving her first call up to train with the Lionesses in September 2020, Toone had to wait until February 2021 to make her senior international debut.

Later that year, she scored a hat-trick for England in a World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

Fast forward to July 2022, and the 22-year-old is primed to play a key role in her nation's UEFA Women's Euro 2022 campaign.

New emotions at Old Trafford

On the hour mark of England opening 2022 Euros game, Toone walked onto the pitch at Old Trafford in front of over 68,000 supporters to represent her country in a major tournament.

Even though she’s played there twice before at club level, this was a totally new feeling.

“Obviously I dreamt of playing for England and being in a major tournament, but this is something else,” she told Manchester United's website.

“This is a major tournament in England, first game at Old Trafford, [the home of] my childhood club.

“All these things at once, this is a massive dream and something I never even expected."

From a professional contract at United to playing for England, Toone admitted that she had “achieved dreams that I set when I was a little girl."

Ella Toone: I just wanted to come home to United

As a young girl, Toone would often attend games at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United's men dominate in the Premier League.

In 2007, the football prodigy joined the club’s academy, which is renowned for producing some of the world's best players.

But six years later, in 2013, she had no choice but to leave the club due to United having no women’s team, and therefore no pathway into professional football at a senior level.

Even more painful for a United fan, she had to join the club's fierce rivals Manchester City in order to continue her football journey.

Despite being there for two years, Toone made just five appearances for the blue side of Manchester before going ‘home’ to be part of United's newest team.

“As soon as United said there was a women’s team I just wanted to come home,” the 22-year-old told The Guardian.

“It’s the proudest thing ever to wear this shirt and wear this badge.

“I come to training every day and I’m at the club that I support. You just want to work as hard as you can for the badge and for the girls around you.”

Toone goes on to express her delight for the new generation of United academy girls who now have a pathway into the senior team.

“I’m also really happy for the girls in the academy that have the opportunity now to work hard and dream big.

“All I ever wanted to do was play professional football for Manchester United.”

Committed to giving back

Despite still being only 22, Toone is already committed to being a role model for young generations.

Since signing for Manchester United, she has become one of the faces of the club, sporting the iconic number seven on the back of her shirt.

For the midfielder, being someone for young players to look up to is one of the 'main reasons we do what we do', she told 90min.

“We want to be the best role models we can for all the young boys and girls growing up.

“That’s what we pride ourselves on.”

Toone goes on to insist that it’s the ‘little things’ that can matter to fans.

“Little things like signing a shirt after a game, or getting a selfie with a young girl, that will make their day,” she said.

“For us, it’s about inspiring the next generation of girls and boys to get involved in football.”

Emulating Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes

While Toone is now a role model to many, she still reveres her male colleagues - some of whom she grew up watching.

Her first idol was Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. She would wear his No. 7 shirt and try to replicate his tricks and skills.

But more recently, she has been trying to model her game on Ronaldo's club and country teammate Bruno Fernandes.

“I’ve been watching Bruno the past season,” Toone continued.

“He’s an amazing player and he wants to get on the ball and find those passes and take those shots.”

Playing for the badge, not the number

While she now wears the iconic No. 7 jersey, Toone knows that it's just a number - what is on the front of her shirt matters more.

“I think you play for the badge,” she told Sky Sports.

“There’s been a lot of amazing players who have worn that [number], so for me, it’s been an absolute honour.

“But we play for the badge on the front of our shirt.”

Ronaldo knew this. Despite getting injured in the final of the Euros in 2016, the images of him willing his teammates on to victory from the side line remain vivid.

Now it's Toone's turn to help England to glory in 2022.