Manchester United forward Alessia Russo believes her side's brilliant performance in the Women's Super League in which they've pushed Chelsea to the brink is "nothing short of what we deserve" and did not rule out a sensational final day trophy lift for Marc Skinner's side.
The 24-year-old was crowned the Player of the Year at the inaugural Women's Football Awards on Thursday night following an impressive season punctuated by her cheeky backheel at Euro2022 and 10 league goals to cut her a coveted talent in the women's game.
"I think tonight is really special to celebrate women’s football and everything that goes with it," Russo told the MEN. "Whether that’s brands, media. It’s a nice night where everyone can come together and support women and women’s football because it doesn’t often get recognised."
The Lioness was shortlisted alongside teammate Mary Earps, Arsenal's Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, Chelsea's Sam Kerr and Millie Bright, Manchester City's Chloe Kelly, Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp and Aston Villa's Rachel Daly.
Manchester United also took home an accolade as they scooped up the VISA Best club of the year, edging out Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Glasgow Rangers, Southampton, Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City in the first publicly-voted ceremony to recognise all levels of the women's game.
Russo has been the subject of intense transfer rumours as a prolonged contract saga continues to drag. United rejected a £450,000 bid from Arsenal for the goal-scorer in January, while Chelsea and Lyon are both interested in employing Russo's services next season, though recent reports suggest that a future with United is not off the table.
Russo's exploits in the United shirt this season have fired Skinner's side into an unanticipated race for the title against serial champions Chelsea, as well as clinched an historic FA Cup final appearance and a first-ever Champions League place. With just one match remaining, United are still within touching distance of a historic title.
"It's been great," Russo told the MEN. "[Beating Chelsea] isn’t necessarily the fuel, just putting on the performances that we know we can and that we’re proud of. We all believe in each other in the changing room, we’ve got a great set of staff, and I think what we’ve done this season is a credit to us as players and nothing short of what we deserve.
"Taking it to the final day is stressful for us but great for the neutral."
Asked whether she has had time to reflect on the season that has been, Russo admitted that reflection has been a peripheral task.
"In football, things change so quickly and you’re always preparing for another game, things like that," she said. "You don’t really have time to ever sit still and reflect, which is a shame. I’m sure I will one day. But things move so quickly, right after the Euros we went straight into the season.
"But I think the whole summer is super incredible and what we’ve achieved this season with Manchester United is amazing and obviously we have a huge game Saturday, so we’ll see what happens."
