Malard: I was feeling the vibes

The striker continued her good form with a goal in the weekend win over Leicester City and is loving life in Manchester.

"I enjoy it here because now it’s my home, it’s really my home. I’m so happy here," she said.

During her loan spell, she quickly became a fan favourite after scoring some crucial goals, including against Arsenal in the league and Paris Saint-Germain, in our first ever Champions League game. 

"It was important to continue because, when I came here for loan, I was feeling a lot of the vibes with the supporters, with my team-mates on the pitch and I wanted to continue that for the stability in my life and my career also," she explained.

"It is a very big club for me and a new challenge."

After scoring against Everton last season, Malard rushed over to our supporters, high-fiving the fans in celebration.

"When we watch the football, the men do that, and I would like the same for the girls. The same feeling. When we score with the celebration, we enjoy it and we keep this moment because it’s hard to score in the game. When you score, I would like to enjoy it and take that time.

"Also I’m a player that really smiles and has energy. If I score or my team-mates score, I cannot stay silent!"

Malard further won the hearts of fans in the build up to last season's Adobe FA Cup final as she was pictured turning up to training sporting a David Beckham shirt.

"That, for me, is normal because I remember it was the week of the FA Cup final, and I know a lot of legends played here. We need inspiration from these players and David Beckham is a legend here.

"When I put that on, everyone sent me messages and was like ‘that’s good!’ Also, I like the style – it’s a bit of both [things]."

Our legendary, Treble-winning no.7 is not the only player from the past who Malard is taking inspiration from, as she reflects on her trips to the United Museum.

"The club is very important for me. My head is here, my energy is here and when I go to the museum, I see a lot of trophies – that for me is the objective because it’s a big club for the men, sure.

"But I would like it also to be a big club for the women and we've started, now I’m here for the history. I would like a big history with Manchester United."

The United Women no.9 was pictured attending the premiere a few months ago for a film on 1999, where she met up with Andy Cole.

"I spoke with him a little bit," she says. "I told him I’m the number nine also! That, for me, is crazy. When I left, I called my dad, I called my mum, I said I saw Andy, because that is my dad’s generation.

"It’s crazy and I follow him on Instagram, sometimes I speak with him because I would like to learn for the football, for my career and when I have an opportunity, I go for it."

Her job this season is clear, she said: "My job, for me, it’s to help, every time, my team-mates and the club to progress back towards the Champions League."

With the Reds sitting second in the WSL, not far behind Chelsea, we are making good progress in our quest to secure European football for next season.