Ella Toone admits she loves playing alongside on-loan Manchester United forward Melvine Malard after striking up a deadly partnership with the French striker.
The duo were both on-target in United's 4-0 win at Tottenham, the Red Devils third win in-a-row as they continue to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the derby at Old Trafford last month.
Toone had to deal with the disappointment of losing close friend Alessia Russo in the summer, when she departed for Arsenal. That left a sizeable gap in United's attack, but Malard has staked her claim with four WSL goals since joining from Lyon.
And the in-form England No.10, who recently scored a last minute winner at Wembley for the Lionesses against Netherlands, believes her and Malard can become a lethal combination.
"I love playing with Melvine," Toone told Mirror Football. "She’s an unbelievable player. And also an unbelievable character. She's a young talent who has already played with so many great players in her career.
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“And I think we really link up well on the pitch. I enjoy playing with her. She’s really good on the ball, powerful and likes to create things as well. That really suits me and it was nice she got that assist for me against Spurs. Hopefully soon I can repay her with one.”
Malard appeared to have two goals in the dominant win over Tottenham, although it was hotly debated whether she got a touch to a goal bound ball from Hannah Blundell, for United's opener. Officially the goal is set to go the French forwards way, although Toone wasn't convinced.
She added: "I’m going to black Hannah Blundell for that goal though! She doesn’t score often so I’ve got to giver her that one."
Unlike last season, United manager Marc Skinner has plenty of attacking options to call upon when needed. Rather than stick to the same XI, as was often the case last season, Skinner has often rotated in the forward positions, although Toone has kept her place.
But the England star believes that, rather than causing tensions amongst the team, the competition for places is pushing her teammates onto a new level.
"It (the competition) just shows the depth in the squad we have," Toone said. "Obviously some players won’t be happy, but that’s football. If it was myself I wouldn’t be happy as well. But they don’t show that.
Ella Toone (left) has enjoyed playing with Melvine Malard“They are all unbelievable teammates and help create a spirit. Those not in the team always want to push everyone in training to work harder which we need. When good players don't play, they don’t dwell on it. They are ready to come on and change the game.
“I think in a lot of games, we’ve already needed that a lot this season. We’ve relied on players to come on and get us the win. We are such a close group, with such good connections, we always make sure everyone is ok. To have the depth in squad and competition for places, it then goes into training and makes it more intense. It prepares you even better for a game day. It has been nice to have that healthy competition in the squad.”
Their recent form means United are only four points off pace-setters Chelsea and Arsenal in the WSL title race. But they have one huge challenge remaining in the league before the winter break.
Liverpool are the visitors to Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, with Matt Beard's team only one place behind United in fifth. As a local player, Toone is under no illusions of just how big this fixture is.
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Toone recently scored a last minute winner against Netherlands at Wembley (Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock)"It is definitely a big game," she added. "Every game in the league is huge. But Manchester United v LIverpool is naturally a massive game. You can’t play for this club without feeling that rivalry.
"I feel it and the other girls do as well. We’re looking forward to it. They have been a good team this season and have started really well. So we know we have to prepare properly and show real focus."
Toone was speaking after launching her own "ET7" brand, trademarking the name with plans to open her own academy next year as part of the project.
"I think it was a good time to do it now, off the back of the Euros and the success England had in the summer," she explained. "Everyone’s platform has grown and their fans have grown massively. I want to give back to grassroots and work with younger players coming through.
"The ideal scenario for me is to open an academy and that giving a young girl a chance of coming through and achieving her dreams, especially from a place like Tyldesley as well. I think I’m ready for it."
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