Ella Toone: England midfielder said she didn’t properly grieve after her father’s death

After nine weeks out, Toone was back with a bang.

She scored six goals in her first five games back for United, including a stunning hat-trick against rivals Manchester City.

“When I was back on the grass and around the girls I was like ‘I miss it’ and that’s when I knew I was ready to kick on,” Toone said.

“I came back and started playing well and scoring goals. Then my love for the game really grew and I wasn’t putting as much pressure on myself as I was before in wanting to do everything and wanting to score for dad, thinking I’m never going to score again.

“It was perfect timing and now it’s about not falling again. It’s hard in football because you are up and down all the time anyway.”

Toone is currently on international duty as England prepare to face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League.

Her former United team-mate, best friend and podcast partner Alessia Russo, who now plays for Arsenal, drove to Manchester when she heard of Nick’s passing.

“From living together to then being so far away down in London was hard anyway,” Russo said. “When something as heavy as that happens, all I wanted to do was be there.

“Whether she wanted me there or not I didn’t really care. I just wanted to be there, to sit with her, to cry with her, to eat with her, to try and make her laugh and to help with anything she needed.

“It’s so hard being away from someone at a time like that. As soon as I could I wanted to go and see her. I know Tooney would drop anything to help me if I needed her, big or small.”