Two tons of Tooney memories

We’re sat in an office inside the women’s team building at United’s training ground on a Tuesday afternoon, the day before the Reds would head to Madrid in the Women’s Champions League, and the subject of these large, glossy photos – as you might have guessed – is United Women’s first double centurion, who would go on to hit that landmark figure in our spirited victory against Atletico in the Spanish capital.

What better way, we reasoned, to celebrate Tooney’s 200 United appearances than by her talking through these great photographic memories – and then by asking her to sign them so we can give them away to you fans?

More on that later, but let’s get cracking in chronological order, beginning with Ella’s debut, aged just 18…

Appearance #1
Liverpool 0-1 United, 19 Aug 2018

Context: Ella’s senior debut for United (but not her first senior game), in United Women’s first-ever match, away to our big club rivals in the League Cup...

“I’d been injured before this game – it was my first-ever injury, which kept me out for six weeks, so the start to my United career didn’t quite go as I wanted it to. I remember not starting, and coming on [at half-time]... for Mollie Green, I think. Liverpool were in the league above us, so this must have been in the Conti [League] Cup. I remember just having an immense pride – I’d grown up at the club, then had to move away, and the feeling of being able to come back and pull that shirt on and step out as a Manchester United player… it was so special. It seems so long ago now… too long ago!”

Appearance #27
United 7-0 Palace, 20 Apr 2019

Context: The Reds secure the Championship title on a brilliant day in Leigh – Toone playing her part by teeing up a couple of goals...

“I’m the only one left from this photo, and I look like a baby – really skinny legs, no muscles, braces! I loved that season. We formed a team where we were all there for the same reason – to win the league [Championship]. We had some amazing players, amazing people, and we all went in on that first day not really knowing each other – that’s why we came together so well as a team because everyone was in the same boat, with everyone coming to new team. It felt like a family and I really enjoyed that year. I scored quite a few goals [15 in 29 appearances] and we won nearly every game... well except against Durham. They are special memories. When you set out to do something and you achieve it, that’s really special. I used to love them boots as well, they don’t do them anymore. I got a new pair today as it goes – they’re luminous yellow, you’ve got to be flary to wear them!”

Appearance #28
Millwall 0-5 United, 28 Apr 2019

Context: The weekend after the Palace win, goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain gets her camera out ahead of our away victory in the Championship at Princes Park...

Photo 1/2: “Ah, this is a Shiv photo! She was good at that stuff, Shiv. Oh god, look at that baby face again! We won this game. I remember we won a penalty and we gave the ball to Martha [Harris] because we all wanted her to score. I don’t think Casey [Stoney] was very happy about that but I’m sure we were a few [three] goals up so it wasn’t too big a deal. And we’d already won league. Plus we knew she’d put it in the back of the net!”

Photo 2/2: “I see I had my hairspray with me [laughs] – I remember saying I hope I get a hairspray deal on the back of that! We had a very young squad that season, but the older ones were so experienced. Alex Greenwood was a captain we could all look up to, and exciting talents like LJ [Lauren James, pictured] have gone on to do great things. We had different personalities across the group also, but we all really came together, which was so nice.”

Appearance #45
United 3-0 Tottenham, 19 Jan 2020

Context: On a very misty day in Leigh, our no.7 receives the first red card of her career as we beat the north Londoners in the WSL...

“I remember the fog. I came on late in the game [on 70 minutes], and came off again shortly after! [Ella being sent off following a brief flare-up with the opposition]. I remember coming on and I wasn’t very happy that I wasn’t playing. That’s just football and I couldn’t control my emotions, they got the better of me. But when you go through something like that you learn so much. I was sidelined for three games as a result and I hated every minute of it – I remember thinking, ‘I’m never getting a red card again’. And then I did get another, also against Spurs [in February 2023], although that one got rescinded, so lucky me! There must be something about Spurs, they know how to wind me up! I did make a friend for life though, in Abbie McManus. I knew her from City, but we got really close after she came to United and she’s like a big sister to me now. She’s really close to me and my family. It’s nice that you meet these people along your journey and then you’re friends for life.”

Appearance #47
Everton 2-3 United, 23 Feb 2020

Context: Ella scores our final goal before lockdown kicks in and the crowds disappear, as we beat Everton in the league at the first match staged at their (old) new home, Walton Hall Park...

“Is this Everton, at their place? It’s a little bit different to where we played them this month! The new one [Hill Dickinson Stadium] is amazing. I’ve never played at Goodison so I was really looking forward to that, but when they said we’d be playing at the men’s [stadium], I was like, that’s sick. It’s a proper nice stadium, they’ve done it really well, and it was obviously nice that we got the win too. It’s a nice memory from 2020 though at their old place... it’s crazy to think what was to come in the days after that game.”

Appearance #56
United 0-0 (4-3 pens) Man City, 19 Nov 2020

Context: A behind-closed-doors derby sees our first-ever penalty shoot-out – albeit only for a bonus point in the League Cup group stage...

“Was this [against] City? It’s a really nice photo, with all the different people, I must have come on in this game because I never wear a skin! [Toone was indeed a 68th-minute substitute]. If I’m starting I would never have worn that, so I definitely didn’t start! [Laughs] Was it Bardsley or Roebuck in goal for City? [Bardsley]. I do remember we won that, and look at the people there, like Christen Press – Christen Press was a United player... she was someone I looked up to for such a long time before that. To share a field with her, and Tobin [Heath] too [who had been subbed off by the time of the shoot-out]... I think they would have loved it more at United if they’d experienced the fans. I speak to Tobin, and Tobin loved Manchester United – she loved the people and the city so it would have been nice for her to have a proper experience here. We still haven’t had a proper shoot-out [to decide a knockout tie], but that’s okay, I’d rather not! Me and Leah are the only ones left from this photo and Leah’s not changed and neither has her hair... just a few more tattoos!”

Appearance #68
United 2-0 West Ham, 27 Mar 2021

Context: A red-letter day, as United Women play at Old Trafford for the first time – unfortunately no fans could be there to enjoy the WSL victory...

“This was such a historic day for the club, to play at Old Trafford for first time, it was just a shame that the first time wasn’t in front of a crowd. It was weird – I’d never not had family in the stadium before then [Covid] so to finally step out at Old Trafford and not see family there was like ‘what on earth?’. That was so weird but we still had to go and get the job done. And it’s nice that we’ve able to play at Old Trafford quite a few times after that, with fans.”

Appearance #100
United 1-0 Brighton, 3 Apr 2022

Context: Ahead of our 1-0 WSL win against the Seagulls, Toone receives a special gift from the boss, as she becomes the first Red to reach a century of appearances...

“The frame for this is at my mum’s. I’ve got a frame for 100 games, for 150… hopefully there will be more! She might need an extra room for them, although I am getting a bigger house so maybe I’ll get to put them up somewhere myself. Not in the living room though!”

Appearance #111
Arsenal 2-3 United, 19 Nov 2022

Context: A Saturday night at the Emirates produces a real thriller, with Ella scoring our first goal in a ding-dong WSL battle, played in front of over 40,000 fans...

“Of course I remember this one. Look at all the expressions – that’s Ona in the middle. Me, Millie and Less had a bit of a friendship group so for all of us to get on the scoresheet and get the win was so nice, and it was our first time at the Emirates as well. It was a bit of a mad game this one – we were winning [through Toone’s header], then losing, then level, then winning again in the last minute.”

Appearance #112
United 5-0 Aston Villa, 3 Dec 2022

Context: In front of 30,196 fans at Old Trafford, Ella plays a pivotal role in the Reds winning for the seventh time in eight games to start our 2022/23 WSL campaign...

“I really enjoyed this day, I think it’s one of the most memorable games ever for me in terms of how much I enjoyed it. I remember thinking afterwards, ‘why did I enjoy it so much?’ I think it was just because it was at Old Trafford, I assisted Leah [Galton] in the first half, I assisted Less [Russo] in the second, and being involved in goals at Old Trafford is something I always dreamed about growing up. Yes, I know I’ve yet to score there! [Laughs]. A goal at Old Trafford is definitely on my tick list, hopefully this season.”

Appearance #133
United 2-2 Arsenal, 6 Oct 2023

Context: Soon after Alessia Russo’s switch to Arsenal, Ella faces a swift reunion with her close friend, as the Gunners head to Leigh on matchday two of our league season...

“This was early into the season. Less and I had played together at United for a couple of seasons, and it was special. I knew she wanted to move on to have that change in her career. I always respected that and I’ll always want her to do well, and it was nice to share the pitch with her again. I do remember the fans cheering a few things and I was like, ‘oh, leave her alone!’ [Laughs]. I’d prefer her to be on my team than not on my team, and she put on a good performance that night [in a 2-2 draw that took United to top spot].”

Appearance #163
United 4-0 Tottenham, 12 May 2024

Context: Our Goal of the Season winner for 2023/24 comes on the grand stage on Wembley, to put the Reds on track for FA Cup glory – with some special moments to enjoy post-match...

Photo 1/3: “I do watch this goal back quite a bit – I do feel like the Adobe Women’s FA Cup account posts it on Instagram all the time! [Laughs] It was a special moment. This is my best goal for United, but in my career? I’m not sure. My dad told me he thought this was the best goal, but I’d say my chip for England in the Euros final. I’ll take that one and dad can have this one.”

Photo 2/3: “I’m probably trying to look for my family here... I do recognise this sign [’TOONEY MY HERO’] though, I’ve seen it at Leigh. Maybe I’m looking at that? Look at that sea of red... what a day. It was so hot that day, though – far too hot for me.”

Photo 3/3: “To hold the trophy, this was definitely one of my favourite moments in a United shirt, that’s for sure. I’ve no idea where the trophy went that night to be honest, it’s hard to remember much but I know I didn’t get to take it home! We all had a good one though, celebrating the win.”

Appearance #172
Man City 2-4 United, 19 Jan 2025

Context: Seconds after half-time at the Etihad, Ella completes her hat-trick as the Reds stun the hosts in a six-goal WSL classic...

“Khiara Keating’s expression makes this photo even better! – or worse for her! This was straight after half-time, and this [moment] is right up there for me. A hat-trick at the Etihad, it’s on par with the FA Cup final win. For me, after six years at United I’d never scored against City. All I wanted to do as a United fan was to score against City and it just wouldn’t happen. I remember saying that morning when having our food, talking about how I’ve never scored against City, and that day everything fell perfectly for me. What a feeling it was. It was in front of the United fans as well, although I’m sure we had a lot of fans everywhere that day.”

Appearance #191
United 4-0 Leicester, 7 Sep 2025

Context: The current WSL campaign begins with a tidy Toone finish, in front of the North Stand terrace in Leigh...

“Oh look, I’ve finally grown some leg muscles! It’s very different from the Palace photo [in 2019]. The goal meant a lot, as it was one year since losing dad, so to score... it was written in the stars. I felt like I’d been training really well, and I was in a good place on the back of the Euros. And it was good to start the league season with an early goal [on 13 minutes] to put us on our way, and what a start it’s been to the season for us.”

Appearance #198
United 1-0 Valerenga, 8 Oct 2025

Context: A first ‘proper’ UWCL game for Ella and the Reds ends with three hard-earned points, plus a Player of the Match award for our no.7...

Photo 1/2: “I’m still getting used to the Champions League anthem – I want the same buzz as from hearing the men’s anthem! – but it was still special to hear it. Lining up, I’m approaching it like just another United game. I know it was a historic night but it was just about getting the win. Valerenga made it difficult for us but we got the three points. As for Melvine [with her eyes closed], she does a lot of stuff like that, I just leave her to it! [Laughs].”

Photo 2/2: “It’s unreal that [trophy], it’s one of my favourites – it’s like a crown but you can’t wear it. I was buzzing. It took us so long to get into the Champions League [beyond the qualifiers], and to then play the first match and get Player of the Match, that was really special. And of course we got the win. It’s something we’ve all worked so hard for. A special night”

Appearance #199
Everton 1-4 United, 12 Oct 2025

Context: A second-half masterclass from the Reds spoils the party for Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium – helped by Ella’s two assists...

“I love big stadiums like this one, and I also love smaller ones when they are filled out, especially Leigh. It’s great there, it’s been our home since we started. But playing at the biggest stadiums, it’s like we’re putting women’s football on the map and having opportunities that we should be having. I’d love to play at the Nou Camp one day. This was a good day for Everton as well – it was their first game there, the number of tickets they sold [18,154] was class. But it was a good win for us in the end.” 

POSTERS UP FOR GRABS!

At the end of our chat, Ella was more than happy to grab a Sharpie and sign 10 of these posters.

To be in with a chance of winning one, pick up a copy of the Reds’ official match programme when Marc Skinner’s Reds face Aston Villa in Leigh on Saturday 8 November. y

Head to ManUtd.com/muwtickets for tickets.