Toone: I want to win everything

The 22-year-old has been selected to represent England at the upcoming UEFA Women’s European Championship, which kicks off in just under two weeks' time. 

Finding the net seven times and registering eight assists during the Reds' most recent WSL campaign, the United forward is relishing the chances she has been given.

"I think this season has been a bit of a breakthrough season for me, I’ve managed to score a few goals and get a few assists," Toone told BBC Sport. 

"Playing for Man United is the best feeling in the world. Growing up a Manchester United fan and then being able to play week in, week out for the club you support is really special."

Establishing herself as a regular under Skinner, the Reds no.7 has gone from strength to strength since joining the club back in 2018 and reached a century of appearances for her boyhood club back in April.

But it's not all been plain sailing for Toone during her footballing career thus far, with the Tyldesley-born player admitting reaching this point has not come without its own struggles and individual battles.

"Growing up it was tough. I was in the United Academy for seven or eight years and there was nothing to look up to. There was no Women’s team to try and get into," she added. 

"I had the decision to leave and I moved to Blackburn Rovers, I was there for two seasons in the RTC, then I went into the Women’s first team. Then I signed a dual contract with Manchester City. 

"When you turn 18, that’s when you get offered a professional contract and that didn’t happen for me, it was really tough for me. I remember sitting in a Starbucks with my Dad and my agent and just crying for about an hour and my Dad was just patting me on the back.

"I thought it was the end of the world but when I look back now, it was probably the best thing that ever happened and it made me work even harder."

When the interest eventually arrived from the Reds back in 2018, Toone admits it was an opportunity she could not afford to pass up. 

"There was rumours that Manchester United were starting a Women’s team and I think Casey Stoney rang my agent and wanted to see if I was interested. I bit her hand off straight away, it was home. It’s Manchester United, the club I have loved and supported and they really believed in me, I knew that my ambitions matched theirs and I’ve been happy ever since."

Heading into the upcoming UEFA Women’s European Championship on home soil, the former Manchester City forward insists she is only just getting started and has set her sights high on achieving big things in the upcoming years. 

"I want to win things for myself like the Ballon d’Or, you have to set those targets. I think what I’ll bring to the England team is hard work and that little bit of freedom and bravery, plus hopefully scoring a lot of goals. It’s just the beginning."

The full interview is available to view here, via the BBC Sport website.