Man United could be without Toone until Christmas, says Skinner

Marc Skinner revealed that Manchester United could be without midfielder Ella Toone until next year after she suffered a calf injury in training.

Toone has played five games in the Women's Super League this season, but has yet to score a goal or assist.

The 25-year-old has missed United's last two games and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for the upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.

She previously played in as many as 96 games in a row before missing United's WSL clash with Leicester City last weekend.

Marc provided injury updates on Aoife Mannion, Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland during his press conference on Friday.#MUWomen

– Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) November 22, 2024

But ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, Skinner confirmed they would be without Toone not just for that match, but for the foreseeable future.

“We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas]. There's always hope, but I think you keep your balance and say, 'Okay, if we can get her back, we'll get her back,'” Skinner said.

“But we're just not going to rush her at this point because it's a calf injury, it's your running mechanics. If we damage the walking mechanism, it will take longer.

“So ideally we would like to have her back for the games afterwards.

“The projection is that she will miss this game [Chelsea]She'll miss the international window, probably miss the first match after that, and then we'll see.

“But because it is such a short block of just three games, we will assess whether it is worth it or actually reset to come back after Christmas.”