Toone's Hip Hitch: Man Utd and Lionesses Rocked by Star's Extended Absence
Ella Toone faces a delayed return from hip surgery, missing Man Utd's derby with City, Bayern in the Champions League, and England's key World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland. United battle a lengthy injury list exposing squad depth woes, though returns like Jayde Riviere and Elisabeth Terland offer hope. Skinner eyes a post-April break comeback for the star midfielder amid a defining run of fixtures.
Toone's Hip Hitch: Man Utd and Lionesses Rocked by Star's Extended Absence
Picture this: you're buzzing for a massive derby, but your key playmaker's still nursing a dodgy hip. That's the grim reality for Manchester United right now, with Ella Toone sidelined until after the April international window. The England ace hasn't kicked a ball since December, and what was meant to be a quick fix has turned into a proper saga.
Boss Marc Skinner had pencilled in this weekend's clash with Man City as a potential comeback date. Fat chance. Instead, Toone's target is now the post-international break trip to Tottenham on March 26 – assuming no Champions League reshuffles from that nail-biting Bayern Munich tie. "She's doing individual sessions on the pitch," Skinner revealed, "and we're hoping for team drills soon. Fingers crossed for after the break."
Lionesses Feeling the Pinch Against Spain
It's not just United weeping into their pints. England boss Sarina Wiegman will be gutted too, missing Toone for the blockbuster World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley on April 14, plus the Iceland jaunt days later. Toone's got form against La Roja and loves a Wembley moment – her absence is a right kick in the teeth.
Mind you, the attack isn't barren. Beth Mead's back firing, Lauren James is banging out full 90s at Chelsea, and Chloe Kelly's starting again. Still, with Aggie Beever-Jones nursing a knock, Wiegman's forward pool looks a tad shallow. The Lionesses have kicked off qualifying with wins over Iceland and Ukraine, but only group toppers get a straight World Cup ticket. Beating Spain? Vital, or it's playoffs and prayers.
United's Injury Ward Overcrowded, But Glimmers of Hope
United's squad is thinner than a post-Christmas wallet. Toone's the poster child, but Leah Galton (back), Anna Sandberg (knee), Dominique Janssen and Ellen Wangerheim (knocks) are all MIA for the City showdown. Wednesday's Bayern loss saw just four senior outfielders on the bench – brutal exposure of their depth issues.
Then there's Hinata Miyazawa, fresh off Japan's Asian Cup glory in Sydney (90 minutes in the final, no less). Skinner managed her wisely in the 3-2 first-leg defeat, subbing early despite her jet-lag resilience. "She's used to long hauls," he quipped, "unlike us lot moaning about the M6." Rest is lined up post-next leg.
Silver linings? Jayde Riviere's ramping up after a month out and should feature more versus City. Teen sensation Layla Drury returns (not in CL squad, hence absent midweek), and top scorer Elisabeth Terland was rested for rotation – expect her to unleash against the league leaders.
United sit second in the WSL, but that goalless West Ham draw was a stumble. City lead by eight points, with Chelsea lurking. Derby glory could spark a title push, but injuries make it a tall order. As reported by The Peoples Person on OneFootball, this week's make-or-break for Skinner's gals.
Buckle up – Old Trafford's brewing a storm.