Ella Toone, the Manchester United and Lionesses star, took part in McDonald's launch even for its new McCrispy chicken burger before doing battle with England teammate Alex Greenwood on FIFA 23.
Toone, getting back into the swing of club action after recently taking on USA and Czech Republic with Sarina Wiegman's side, was quick to the console to do battle with Manchester City rival Greenwood at the event. That's despite admitting: “I've actually never played FIFA before, so I was googling what the buttons meant before I went on.”
Playing as their respective clubs, Toone took a 2-1 win over Greenwood and Manchester City as she ‘switches back to club mentality’ after international duty.
Although under scrutiny from England legend Fara Williams for a lack of ‘intensity and energy’ against the Czech Republic, Toone feels ready for Sunday’s home game against Brighton and Hove Albion.
“We're all confident coming back in from international duty and feeling refreshed. Hopefully we can carry on from where we left off.”
Six points from their two opening games in the new season's Super League has put United second, level on points with leaders Arsenal. This season their aim is to reach the UEFA Women's Champions League after narrowly missing out last year.
Toone said: “We were really close last year and I think we're a lot hungrier this year, I mean we've signed a lot of talented players”.
The scoring centre back, Maya Le Tissier, has made her mark for the club early on, while Lucia Garcia, Grace Clinton, Aissatou Tounkara and Adriana Leon were also among the summer signings, alongside the experienced heads of Rachael Williams and Nikita Parris.
Alessia Russo remains but refused to sign a new deal with the Red Devils before the European championships and she will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Toone and Russo are a tight-knit duo for both club and country, Toone said: “We’ve grown up together and we're on this journey together. Hopefully, we can keep creating a lot of special memories together.”
