Gabby pays thanks to Lingard's influence

Gabby arrived back at the club following her transfer from Everton last summer but has spent 11 months on the sidelines after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023.

Alongside fellow Reds team-mates Jess Simpson and Emma Watson, it has been a difficult period for the 27-year-old, who also suffered the same setback during her time with the Toffees.

But with a strong United connection already solidified, given her previous spell here as a youngster, George is looking forward now after returning in pre-season.

"I do often feel like I am still a newbie learning my trade again," admitted Gabby, when speaking to club media recently.

"The girls that we have brought in have been amazing characters and I hope that I have helped them, but I think they have settled in really well.

"That's the great thing about this club - it's that we have such good connections and last season I would never have got through if it wasn't for the team.

"They were so amazing [with me] and that is just a bonus that we have."

With strong family and friends in the background, Gabby's circle have helped tenfold during what has been a testing chapter in a career that has featured caps for England's Lionesses.

But with one former United midfielder as a blood relative, she admits Jesse Lingard's advice has held its weight in gold, given the close bond they share as cousins.

"I've spoke to Jesse [Lingard] quite a lot about my rehab," she said, when asked whether her older cousin has been there in times of need.

"I think it is hard to describe the emotions that you go through when you have an injury; there are ups and there are downs like anything in life.

"It's difficult to put into terms when it is something so big to you. Obviously I have played football for however long and when it is something that is taken away from you, it has been important to have Jesse around, well not around but having him on the phone with him being in Korea now!

"My family have been amazing for me, my little sister she has been amazing for me and to have people around me to just have something else to think about."

With kick-off for the 2024/25 WSL campaign creeping up slowly, Marc Skinner's side have started pre-season by playing friendlies against the likes of Durham and Newcastle United.

Gabby hopes that tools can be sharpened and relationships can be formed as we eye another successful campaign.

"Obviously minutes are important in pre-season especially when I haven't played for so long, there hasn't been the chance to build-up those connections with everyone," she added.

"Everyone is doing the same thing but we obviously want to get minutes, build as a team, build our connections and I think that is the most important thing for pre-season and that is on and off the pitch."