Toone dreams of netting at Old Trafford with England’s Man Utd stars in with a chance of making Women’s Euros history
ELLA TOONE often dreams of scoring at Old Trafford and doing a knee slide celebration in front of a packed Stretford End.
And this summer the WSL ace could make history with her Manchester United club-mates Mary Earps and Alessia Russo.
The trio could become the first Red Devils stars to play for the Lionesses at the Theatre of Dreams at a Women’s European Championship.
The opener for England on July 6 sees them host Austria at the legendary football ground.
And playing at the stadium for her national side would be among the highlights of an impressive year for Toone.
One that saw her named Women’s Player of the Year by United fans last season.
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The forward, 22, said: “I’ve always dreamt about scoring at Old Trafford and in my head I’m always running over to the Stretford End.
“No matter where I’m scoring, I’m always running to that end.
"I never usually do a knee slide but for some reason when I dream about scoring, I’m knee-sliding across the pitch.
“I’ve dreamt that a lot of times and obviously a lot more now with the first [Euros] game being there.”
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Along with Russo, 23, Toone is one of nine England players set for a major tournament debut for the national side.
To date, the forward has bagged 11 goals in 14 senior appearances since her debut in a 6-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland last February.
Efforts include the fourth goal in the Lionesses’ 5-1 drubbing of reigning European champions Holland.
A result that saw England fire a warning to their Euros rivals with a clinical second-half display at Elland Road.
Toone, who counts Kelly Smith as one of her childhood idols, has seen her stock rise for club and country since her 2018 return to the red half of Manchester after two seasons at City.
And like the Lionesses legend, the Wigan-born forward has emerged as a role model for young fans.
Toone added: "I always remember Kelly — she was unbelievable.
"She played with her heart on her sleeve and gave everything.
“It’s exciting for us to be role models with young girls and boys growing up watching us now.”
In her hometown of Tyldesley, a large in an England shirt can be found near Hindsford FC, a local team that played an influential role in her enthusiasm for the game during her childhood.
The artwork was created as part of an Xbox and FA campaign celebrating England players.
Toone said: “For me, where it all started was Hindsford, it’s a big part of my family.
“When I was little, my dad took me there and I’d be playing football with my brother, shoving him in the nets and thinking we were at Old Trafford.
“My dad believed in me right from the start.
“The belief he had in me from such a young age drove me to where I am today.
“Everything I do now is to repay my dad and my family for everything they’ve done and sacrificed over the years.”
Belief in England’s potential is something Toone reckons Sarina Wiegman has reinforced in her 23-strong squad - who play Switzerland in their final friendly before the start of the Euros.
Toone added: “Sarina has been there and done it [winning the Euros as a head coach] and that's why she's got the whole group behind her.
‘We're really buying into how she wants us to play. There's a great blend between youth and experience.
“And, being a young player, having people like Jill Scott who has been there and done it - it's good for us to learn from her.
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“Everyone has the same goal and wants to achieve the same thing.
"One of our main things is to go out there and enjoy it and to bring the country together.”
