Reds star as England retain Arnold Clark Cup
Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Mary Earps all started as England Lionesses eclipsed Belgium 6-1 at Ashton Gate Stadium to retain the Arnold Clark Cup.
None of the Reds got on the scoresheet, but they all played a vital role as Sarina Wiegman’s side got yet another accolade under their belt, following the Euro 2022 triumph last year.
Fellow United players Maya Le Tissier and Katie Zelem were unused substitutes in the match, as England racked up 12 goals across the three matches in the tournament, conceding only twice.
🏆 Your 2023 @ArnoldClarkCup winners! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qc2Riv5c41
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 22, 2023
But they weren’t the only Reds in action for their nations, as the final round of fixtures in February's international break were played before club action resumes this weekend.
Estelle Cascarino helped France win the Tournoi de France in a 0-0 draw with Norway.
The defender played the entirety of the game, while her United team-mates Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa were both introduced as second-half substitutes.
Due to their previous victories over Denmark and Uruguay, France were crowned champions, and have now won each of the three editions of the competition.
Adriana Leon’s Canada fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Japan in matchday three of the SheBelieves Cup, with the United winger coming on for the second half.
Despite emerging victorious over Brazil in the last match, Adriana’s nation finished the tournament with just three points, while USA went on to top the table and lift the trophy.
Both Wales - who are represented by United’s Hayley Ladd, Carrie Jones and Safia Middleton-Patel – and Scotland – with Martha Thomas and Kirsty Hanson in their ranks – entered the final fixture of the Pinatar Cup in Spain with the opportunity of winning it all.
However, it wasn’t to be for either side, as they played out a 1-1 draw which opened the door for Iceland to triumph in the competition following their 5-0 victory over the Phillipines.
None of the aforementioned Reds started the fixture, but Hanson and Thomas both came off the bench for Scotland. Ladd and Jones were unused for Wales, while Middleton-Patel wasn’t involved, despite making her senior international debut in matchday one.
United’s players will now return to Carrington, where Marc Skinner will no doubt be putting them through their paces ahead of the resumption of the season.
The first game for the Reds is a Vitality Women’s FA Cup clash with Durham. Tickets are still available to purchase for the 12:00 GMT kick-off at Leigh Sports Village.