Manchester United striker Ella Toone has been named Women’s Player of the Year for the WSL at the North West Football Awards.
It was announced at a gala dinner at Lancashire Cricket Club on Monday night and Toone, away on international duty, left United teammate Aoife Mannion to collect the award on her behalf. She said: “She’s a great player and a brilliant asset to our team. Her career is going to go like a rocket now and it’s an honour to pick up this award for her.”
For the 2021/22 season, Toone netted seven goals and assisted eight in 22 WSL games falling one place short for Champions League qualification. The 23-year-old showcased her capabilities to play in multiple positions to support United's mission. She played as a forward, featured on both the left and right wings, also as an attacking central and defensive midfielder.
Her can-do attitude and will to leave it all on the pitch played an integral part in the Lionesses' success on home turf. Without complaint, she delivered what was asked of her in the final third of all six games.
She lobbed the German goalkeeper, Merle Frohms, to put England ahead in the European Championship final. Tagged as a super sub throughout the home competition, Toone also scored the equaliser against Spain in the 84th minute, sending the game into extra time.
Former England defender, Laura Bassett, said: “Only Ella Toone knows her ceiling!
“It’s just fantastic for England fans to see her growth and maturing, her performances. I just think that she needs to try and keep as mentally fresh as she can.
“It’s a lot of football now, a lot of pressure being put on these young players. She is exciting to watch and has such an important role for Man United and England but yeah, there are very few players like her. I’m excited to see her develop and flourish.”
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