United Women team news: Leicester (A)

A back issue has kept Galton sidelined so far in 2026, while a hip injury has also prevented Toone from contributing to United's unbeaten start to the new year.

While they remain unavailable for Saturday's Barclays Women's Super League clash with Leicester, our head coach's update in Thursday morning's pre-match press conference suggested that the pair could be back in action before too long.

"Both are still out," Marc began, when asked for the latest team news ahead of the Leicester encounter.

"Ella we'll find out today or tomorrow an update with her. She's going to see a specialist to go and have a look at that, but hopefully it's been healing well, so still on track for probably a March return.

"Leah Galton is still ongoing but hopefully she may be back on the field going into the international break [at the end of the month]."

The boss had previously said there was a chance Toone could be back for United's upcoming UEFA Champions League play-off ties against Atletico Madrid, taking place on 12 and 19 February, but was able to provide more clarity on the situation when asked about it, on the back of the above update.

"It needs time to heal, so she won't be involved in the first Champions League games. Hopefully if we can qualify through, we can get her involved for the next ones beyond that."

United were able to welcome recent absentees Gabby George and Fridolina Rolfo back last time out, with the latter scoring our third goal in the 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

'SHE'S A REAL THREAT'

Saturday's game could see a swift and emotional reunion with former United striker Rachel Williams, who transferred between the clubs earlier this month, after three-and-a-half years here.

The experienced forward, who scored in our 2024 FA Cup final success, has since featured in each of the Foxes' last two matches and Skinner spoke about his former colleague in the pre-match press conference.

"We hate playing against Rachel because of the quality she has but, the reality is, at her stage of her career, to go to her home club where her family are around supporting, to get an extended contract, I think it was the right decision at that time.

"Knowing we were bringing Lea [Schuller] and Ellen [Wangerheim] into the frontline, it was really important we still look after people. It's a hard bargain to strike, but we're trying to strike it as best we can. For Rachel to do that, there is still romance left in the football.

"Hopefully we can keep her contained on the weekend because she's a real threat."

Williams is one of five winter signings that could line up against the Reds, with defensive duo Sarah Mayling and Ashleigh Neville, midfielder Emma Jansson and forward Alisha Lehmann also joining the club over recent weeks.