Ella Toone opens up on Man Utd's European ambitions and facing best friend
Ella Toone knows the Champions League is where she wants to be after Manchester United's continental bow.
The England star was previously at fierce rivals Man City but was unable to leave her mark on Europe's premier competition in a three-year spell, before moving to the club she supported as a child. And Toone's dream finally came true this week when making her full Champions League debut in a 1-1 draw with PSG.
The first leg of United's qualifying tie saw the hosts leave on equal terms, after an equaliser from substitute Melvine Malard. The result means a win for the WSL runners-up in the return game will earn them a place in the 16-team group stage and the prospect of more big European nights for Toone and her teammates.
Having been at United from the women's sides reformation in 2018 - when they were in the Championship - to playing in the best club tournament in the word, it was a particularly special night for the No.7.
"I thought about that journey of the last five years at the game, and again today," Toone told Mirror Football. "I thought about how far we've come as a team. I think there's only four of us left from that original squad that started out (when Man Utd formed)
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"To be part of it right from the very start, we've seen what it's taken to get this club here in such a short space of time. Now we're stepping out in Champions League games, it really was an unbelievable feeling. It was nice to take it in and be in the moment.
"Stepping out for your childhood club in the Champions League is something I had always dreamed of doing. To finally get there was a really special night. I now can't wait for more of that. I want to get out in Paris and do it all again."
Facing PSG, a team who reached the last eight in the Champions League last season, would be a difficult task for any team, let alone one with no prior European experience. But Toone was proud of the performance.
"I thought we weathered the storm really well in the first half," she added. "On another night we could have been two or three goals down. We had to defend for our lives and stay in the game.
"But in the second half we played really well, got on the ball more and were braver. Taking a 1-1 draw is really good into the next game, we just need to build on the second half performance and start like that in Paris.
"As a player I want to be in it (the Champions League) every year, 100 per cent. I think it is such an amazing tournament to be involved in. When you start out playing as a professional all you ever want is to play against the best. It took me a while to get there, so to finally do it and have a taste of it was really special.
Ella Toone was speaking after her and Jill Scott will each share their favourite McDelivery Hack or Combo"I want more of it. At Man City I never had that feeling of stepping out playing in Europe, so to finally play in it was hugely special. I've worked really hard towards it and to do it for a club that only started out five years ago was special, we've come a long way."
Toone believes attack will be the best form of defence in the second leg, urging her team to "just go for it". A win would open up the possibility of further glamour ties against the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Lyon.
If that does happen United boss Marc Skinner will need to call upon the strength in depth of new look squad. Eight senior signings were made prior to the new season to bulk up the side and cope with the departures of Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle.
"We've recruited really well this summer," Toone added. "It's exciting for us. We know the games come thick and fast so we'll have to have that rotation over the course of a season. We've never been in the Champions League before so it's a new experience.
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"The new signings have come into the team and already performed really well. We've got a depth in squad now where we know the bench can come on and change games. That's going to be really important."
Toone in action against PSGAside from their continental efforts, United have also made a strong start to their WSL campaign after finishing second last season. Skinner's side stunned Aston Villa with a late turnaround on the opening day after an injury time winner from Rachel Williams.
They then played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal in their first home game. The match saw Toone line up against best friend Russo, crossing paths domestically for the first time since the forward left United for North London in June.
And she admitted it was a strange experience after the two formed a devastating on-field partnership, and a close bond, over the last three years.
"Yeah it was a bit weird seeing her against us," added Toone. "I'm used to standing next to her, not having her on the opposite team against me.
"But that's football, people move on. It's a new challenge for Less (Russo) and one she is really enjoying. I thought she played really well against us. The crowd were up against her and she didn't let that get to her, she played how she always does and looked really good on the ball.
"For me I'd always want her on my team, she's an unbelievable player and person. But you can't dwell too much on the players you lose."
Ella Toone is encouraging football fans up and down the country to get in on a game day McDelivery. Download the McDonald’s App and order today!
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