Ella Toone explains refusal to speak to Alessia Russo ahead of Man Utd reunion

04 October 2023 , 08:50

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Ella Toone of Man Utd (L) and Alessia Russo of Arsenal (R) have been best friends since they were 12 years old (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United ace Ella Toone said she is refusing to speak to former club teammate Alessia Russo ahead of Friday’s Women’s Super League clash with Arsenal.

Russo and Toone are a notable duo in women’s football, with a friendship that spans over 12 years on and off the pitch at club and country level.

The Lionesses spent a majority of their professional career at Man Utd, where the pair inspired Marc Skinner’s side to a first-ever FA Cup final last season and pushed reigning league champions Chelsea to the final day of the league season.

But their on-pitch partnership at club level was rocked when Russo, the subject of a world-record bid last January from Arsenal, opted not to renew her contract with the Red Devils upon its expiry in the summer, instead bidding her allegiance to the Gunners this season.

For the first time since the move, Toone and Russo will face off in a highly-anticipated heavyweight clash on Friday as Man Utd host Arsenal. Last season, Man Utd emerged victorious in both league clashes against the Gunners, with Russo dispatching both game winners.

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The Red Devils will be without their clutch supplier this time around. And Toone, speaking to former England striker Jill Scott as part of a McDonald's McDelivery campaign, declared cheekily that she will not speak to her best friend ahead of Friday’s match.

“I basically just told her [Russo] I will not speak to you before the game,” the 24-year-old told Scott when asked how she will prepare for the occasion. I’m not your mate for 90 minutes, and then afterwards I’ll be your best mate again.”

Jill Scott and Ella Toone speak during a McDonald's McDelivery campaign. (Red Consultancy)

Man Utd clawed back a 2-1 victory over 10-women Aston Villa to begin their WSL campaign over the weekend, with Rachel Williams supplying a dramatic game-winning header in the second minute of injury time.

Arsenal did not fare as kindly as their title rivals on opening day, falling to a shock 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.

The loss compounds an already shaky start to the season for Jonas Eidevall’s side, who were dumped out of the first round of Champions League qualifying after a surprise penalty-shootout loss to FC Paris despite two goals from Russo off the bench.

Megan Feringa