Ella Toone will miss the Women’s Super League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea this weekend. The England midfielder is unavailable for the Red Devils’ next two matches due to a calf injury sustained during training.
The absence marks a first for Toone, who had played 96 consecutive league games before missing Manchester United’s trip to Leicester yesterday. United manager Marc Skinner confirmed the England international’s injury: “Yesterday, in training, Ella injured her calf. She was running and felt discomfort. She will be absent for the next two matches, against Everton and Chelsea. We will make an update next week to assess the extent of the injury,” Skinner said.
Aged 25, Toone will miss the midweek trip to Everton in the League Cup as well as the crucial match against Championship leaders Chelsea next Sunday.
This injury could also have repercussions for the England national team. Indeed, Toone could be out of the next international break, which will see the Lionesses face the United States in a friendly at Wembley on November 30, followed by a match against Switzerland on December 3. England coach Sarina Wiegman already has to deal with the absences of Lauren James and Lauren Hemp, which further complicates her preparations.
Manchester United, currently fifth in the table, will hope to have Toone back in time for their next home match against Liverpool, scheduled for December 8 after the international break.
Agbemégno DAGBOVI
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**Related questions:**
Noriko: Good evening, everyone. Tonight we have two esteemed guests, Mr. Agbemégno Dagbovi and Ms. Ella Toone, who is joining us from Manchester United. Ms. Toone, it’s a pleasure to have you here with us. May I ask how you are feeling about missing this weekend’s match against Chelsea due to your injury?
Ella: Thank you for having me, Noriko. Unfortunately, missing a game is never an easy thing for any player, and I’m disappointed to miss out on this important match against Chelsea. However, I am confident that my team will give their best performance without me and continue to fight for a win.
Agbemégno: That’s an interesting point, Ms. Toone. Given that this is your first time missing a Women’s Super League game in your career, how are you handling the emotional side of things? Do you feel any additional pressure knowing that your team relies on you?
Ella: Missing a game is always tough, but I try not to dwell too much on the emotional side of it. My team is very supportive, and they understand that injuries are part of the game. I trust in their abilities to step up and perform well without me. As for pressure, I think every player feels it at some point, especially when they’re part of a team like Manchester United. But we all have each other’s backs, and we are focused on winning together.
Noriko: Mr. Dagbovi, as a journalist, I’m curious about how this injury might impact Manchester United’s season. They are currently fifth in the table and aiming for a top-four finish. How has the team been coping with the absence of key players like Ella Toone, and what strategies do you think they will implement during her recovery period?
Agbemégno: Indeed, Noriko, the loss of Ella Toone is a significant blow for Manchester United. Not only is she one of their top performers, but her experience and leadership on the field will be missed. In terms of coping, I believe that the team has shown resilience in the past, with several players stepping up to fill in for injured teammates. As for strategies, coach Marc Skinner
