Ella Toone believes Manchester United's squad depth is the "best it's ever been" and admitted it's a really exciting time to be part of the club.
Toone, who was born in Tyldesley, joined United as an eight-year-old before the lack of a senior women's team forced her to make the switch to Blackburn Rovers and subsequently Manchester City. In July 2018, the midfielder returned to United for their inaugural season in the Championship and was an integral part of the side that won promotion to the Women's Super League (WSL).
Almost four years on from their accession to the top-flight, United find themselves vying for their first WSL title and Toone believes - wherever Marc Skinner's side finish up come May - the club is now on an unstoppable upward trajectory.
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"We've been building now for five years," she told BBC Sport. "We want to perform well every weekend. We've strengthened really well, our depth is the best it has ever been. It's really exciting.
"It was nice to be here from the start. Now we keep improving, hopefully keep performing well."
One of the most unique facets of the women's game is the connection between fans and players, with WSL stars often staying behind after games to pose for pictures and sign autographs. However, with attendances continuing to rise in the top-flight, Toone believes it is becoming increasingly difficult to cater to the growing demand from supporters.
"Women's football is very different, we connect with fans so much more," she said. "The stadiums are usually much smaller so we're used to being able to see everyone, sign shirts and take pictures, connect with everyone.
"As it continues to grow, that's not sustainable any more. It's about finding different ways to connect."
While Toone concedes the women's game perhaps needs to adapt to reflect its meteroic rise, the 23-year-old relishes being a role model for young girls up and down the country and says there should be no stigma around how female footballers look on and off the pitch.
"I like that young girls can now look up to women like us," she said. "I love getting my lashes done, my nails done. I always say: you feel good, you look good, you play good.
"I can still go out there and play football. There should be no stigma around the way you look and how you dress."
In addition to impressing on the domestic stage this term, Toone has also cemented her status as one of England's star players, scoring in the EURO 2022 Final last summer to secure the Lionesses' first major trophy. And she will get the chance to show her international pedigree again when Sarina Wiegman's side travel to Australia and New Zealand for the Women's World Cup later this year.
Reflecting on how her life has changed since the EUROs, Toone said: "It's changed massively. A lot more people recognise me now
"But that's part and parcel of it, more people recognise us. I try to take everything in my stride. We have a big target on our backs now. That's the pressure we love. We go into each game wanting to do what we love - make the nation proud."
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