Marc Skinner's side played three times in the final month of the year, prior to the mid-season winter break, kicking it off with an impressive 4-0 victory away to Tottenham in the Women's Super League, before maintaining our 100 per cent record in the Continental League Cup by beating Leicester 3-1 at home.

December, and 2023, unfortunately ended on a disappointing note, with a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the league, but that could not take the shine away from a fantastic calendar year overall for the team.

As the second half of the campaign - and our winter training camp in Malta - approaches, we are inviting you to submit your December Player of the Month choice. The poll to make your pick is below, along with info on the three nominees and a reminder of their standout performances. We will announce the winner on Saturday.

HAYLEY LADD: 2 appearances | 1 goal

The Wales international had a month to remember as a Red, putting pen-to-paper on a contract extension with the club, which was announced in the hours before our 3-1 victory over Leicester.

United's Conti Cup triumph over the Foxes was the only December outing in which Ladd didn't play, having started our league matches against Tottenham and Liverpool.

Our no.12 added to her seasonal goal tally (now two) in the former as well, finding the net with a clever lofted strike to complete the scoring at Brisbane Road, and cap off an impressive performance from midfield.

MELVINE MALARD: 2 (1) appearances | 1 goal | 1 assist

October's winner is in contention for her second monthly award as a Red, off the back of another eye-catching spell for the Reds.

The highlight was her influential showing at Tottenham, in which she notched a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win. The strike, her fifth in United colours since joining on a season-long loan deal in the summer, was a superb first-time finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area, after she had earlier teed up fellow POTM nominee Ella Toone to score.

Our no.9 featured in all three of December's matches and is continuing to become more and more of a fans' favourite upon every appearance.

ELLA TOONE: 3 appearances | 2 goals

Fresh from netting a late Wembley winner for England against the Netherlands during the international break, Tooney returned to her club in fine form.

The attacking midfielder was one of five Reds to start all three of our December fixtures, in which she was twice on the scoresheet. Her first goal of the month, away to Spurs, was a brilliant lobbed finish over the goalkeeper, after she was played in one-on-one by Malard's incisive pass beyond the Spurs defensive line.

Ella then rounded off the year with United Women's final goal of 2023, at home to Liverpool, and followed it up with a special DJ celebration, as part of a promise made to one of the inspirational children she met on the Reds' pre-Christmas visit to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.