Toone: We're getting better every week

Ella Toone believes Manchester United Women are continuing to build momentum, after helping the Reds secure a fourth successive victory in all competitions.

Julia Zigiotti’s delicate sixth-minute finish proved decisive as United edged Liverpool 1-0 at the Progress With Unity Stadium on Saturday.

The result saw Eva Olid’s side claim victory in our 250th competitive fixture, while also securing a first clean sheet of the campaign and extending our unbeaten record when scoring first in the league to 31 matches.

Toone started the contest and played 67 minutes, before being replaced by Simi Awujo, with the midfielder reflecting positively on United’s progress after the final whistle.

“It’s a project. I think we’re getting better and better each week,” Toone told BBC Sport. “It’s really nice now to go into the international break on the back of a win. Tough game, but I think we had energy today. I don’t think in the first half they could deal with the intensity of how we started the game.

“Good goal from Ziggy [Julia Zigiotti] and then some really good defending as well and Fal [Phallon Tullis-Joyce] kept us in it.”

Zigiotti: We got the quick start we wanted

Zigiotti: We got the quick start we wanted

'WE WANT TO PUT ON PERFORMANCES'

After a difficult start to the campaign, Toone feels the Reds have grown in confidence through their recent performances, including in the Subway Players League Cup.

“I think the first two games weren’t how we wanted them to go, obviously,” she added. “We’re a team that wants to put on performances and get three points every time we step out onto the pitch. Then I think we’ve built on the performances against Arsenal.

“The cup games have helped get that confidence back and get scoring goals. But we know it’s a project, we know we’ve got to work hard and we know we’ve got to keep pushing every game. This league’s really difficult and anyone can beat anyone.”

Our no.7 also highlighted the importance of United’s fast start, with head coach Olid asking her side to bring intensity from the opening whistle.

“We wanted to come out today and have intensity,” Tooney explained. “We know that Liverpool liked man-to-man press and press high and press with intent and we had to match that and go beyond that. It was good that we came out of the blocks and managed to get that goal early.”

Olid: We are starting to click

Olid: We are starting to click

'I NEED TO BE CREATIVE'

Toone has also embraced the freedom afforded to her under Olid, who has encouraged her to find space between the lines and express herself in attacking areas.

“I think under Marc [Skinner] I had a lot of freedom. Same with Eva [Olid], she wants to play really attacking football. It suits me. I like to run in behind a lot, but she wants me in the pockets. She knows that I can get on the ball in the pockets.

“If we can find the players in the spaces, that’s where she wants me to be. But for me, I’ll always give 100 per cent for the team. I’ll always work hard and that’s the main thing. Then when I have the ball, I need to play with that freedom. I need to be creative and just enjoy my football.”

United will be looking for a fifth straight victory in all competitions when we return to Women’s Super League action, on Sunday 18 October against newly promoted Charlton Athletic.

In the meantime, keep an eye on ManUtd.com and the United App for updates on our Reds representing their countries during the international break.

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