'This is her pitch' - Skinner hails Toone impact since injury return
Ella Toone has scored four goals in two WSL games since returning from injury, and Marc Skinner could not be happy with her impact.
Marc Skinner was delighted by Ella Toone's performance once again as Manchester United brushed aside Brighton 3-0 in the Women's Super League on Sunday.
Toone scored two minutes in before Hinata Miyazawa and Celin Bizet wrapped up the three points, sending United up to second in the WSL table, seven points behind Chelsea.
The Red Devils were in control from the off, managing 21 shots, eight of which were on target, creating 2.72 expected goals (xG), while Brighton failed to test Phallon Tullis-Joyce once.
Toone has now been involved in seven goals against the Seagulls (five goals, two assists), as she built on her hat-trick on return from injury against Manchester City in their previous WSL match.
"[She's] scoring goals and smiling, showing that love for the game," Skinner said of Toone.
"It's good for football, and it's good for Ella and Manchester United. She's playing with freedom, but I want her to keep that - this is her pitch."
United are only given a 0.4% chance of winning the WSL title, as unbeaten Chelsea are the overwhelming favourites with 98.8%, according to the Opta supercomputer.
They have now won their last four league matches on the bounce, keeping a clean sheet in three of those, and Skinner is excited to build on that run.
"We got exactly what we wanted - three points and high energy," he added. "I wanted us to be a bit more ruthless first half with more goals, but I'm really happy.
"There were some standout individual performances, but as a collective really good too.
"We're a team. We have high competition, and I want players who come in to make a real difference. I want us to keep in this real safe space but also try to push on."