Ella Toone has embraced a greater leadership role at Manchester United Women as Eva Olid prepares to begin a new era with a heavily reshaped squad.
The 26-year-old is now the only remaining member of the group that launched United’s senior women’s team in 2018, following another summer of significant change at the club.
Leah Galton, Hannah Blundell, Millie Turner, Lisa Naalsund, Melvine Malard and Gabby George are among the experienced players to have departed, leaving Toone as one of the figures younger members of Olid’s squad can increasingly look towards.
Ella Toone ready for bigger Man Utd responsibility
Speaking in a new interview with FourFourTwo, Toone acknowledged how her position inside the United dressing room has changed.
“I have to be a leader in this team.”
Toone also explained that she takes pride in having represented United for so long and understands that other players can now lean on her for guidance.
That responsibility could become particularly important this season.
United appointed Olid earlier this month after Marc Skinner’s departure, beginning a change in direction which places significant emphasis on developing younger talent.
ReadManUtd previously looked at how Olid could change United’s identity, with her record of improving players one of the major attractions behind the appointment.
Toone provides valuable continuity while that work takes place.
She has been with the senior side since its formation and is already United’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer, having passed 200 appearances last season.
Eva Olid begins reshaping Man Utd Women
Olid has already started implementing her ideas during pre-season.
United’s new head coach recently challenged her players to become more clinical following the 1-0 friendly defeat against Newcastle, having been encouraged by much of the team’s performance.
The Spaniard now has to turn a squad containing numerous new and younger players into a side capable of closing the gap at the top of the Women’s Super League.
United finished fourth last season and begin their new WSL campaign against London City Lionesses on 4 September. Reuters reported when Olid was appointed that the club view her player-development record and attacking approach as central to their longer-term plans.
Toone appears ready to play a major part in that transition.
After eight years with the senior team, her importance to United is no longer limited to what she produces on the pitch.
