WSL awards for Marc and Ella

Wednesday 12 January 2022 12:00

Marc Skinner and Ella Toone have both received Barclays FA Women's Super League awards, after an excellent December 2021 for Manchester United Women.

The Reds won both of our league games last month without conceding a goal, ending a run of four without victory to move from sixth to fourth in the table ahead of the winter break.

Goals from Hayley Ladd and Vilde Boe Risa against Brighton ensured we came away from the south coast with a 2-0 victory on 12 December.

A week later, and after a 2-0 Conti Cup success over Everton which secured our place in the quarter-finals, Aston Villa were thrashed 5-0 at Leigh Sports Village, with Toone netting the first and last strikes in that convincing win.

Highlights: Brighton 0 United Women 2 Video

Highlights: Brighton 0 United Women 2

Watch the goals by Hayley Ladd and Vilde Boe Risa that earned three important WSL points...

And that performance has played a large part in the 22-year-old claiming the league’s Player of the Month prize, to cap off a brilliant year where she scored 12 goals and registered nine assists for the Reds.

Toone beat team-mate Boe Risa and four other players, including Arsenal and England’s Jordan Nobbs, to the award and her head coach has also been recognised.

Marc was up against his namesake in Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner, but emerged victorious to claim the accolade in only his fourth month in the competition at United after joining last summer.

Marc was keen to thank the players, staff and fans on being presented with the award.

“It means the world to me as the leader of the staff and players and everyone behind the scenes,” said Skinner.

“It’s an easy cliche to say we work as a team and win and lose as a team. I don’t win any accolades unless the staff work as hard as I do, if not harder. More importantly I think the fans can take a big part of that as well.

“We were excellent in December. Our performances showed that and the players, fans and staff absolutely deserved that award. I’m the person who receives it, I pick it up but it’s shared by everybody for their huge commitment to what we’re trying to do.”

Report: United Women 5 Aston Villa 0

 Article

The Reds' final game of 2021 features five goals, four scorers and three more WSL points.

“I think it was a great month for us all,” Toone added. “We really clicked and finished the month on a high.

“For me personally to finish the year with Player of the Month it’s really special. Hopefully I can carry on from that form.”

United’s opening game of 2022, the trip to West Ham, was called off last week due to COVID-19 cases at the Hammers.

But the Reds are in action this Saturday, as we host Birmingham City at Leigh Sports Village. Purchase your tickets for the game now.

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