Ella Toone is Manchester United’s biggest star and it seems fitting that she wears the iconic no.7 shirt.
As a lifelong fan, the England international understands the importance of the shirt and wears it with pride every time she represents the women’s team.
It was a good season for Marc Skinner’s side as they qualified for next season’s Champions League by finishing runners-up to Chelsea. Not only did they finish second though, United pushed the Blues hard for the WSL title and will look to go that step further next term. The market for betting on the WSL can provide some interesting opportunities, so make sure to check the soccer odds and see if there’s value in backing United to pip Chelsea to the post in the 23/24 season.
‘Toone 7’ has become a regular sight in the stands at games and Ella recently featured in an Adidas film about the historic shirt, alongside David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson and Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the number currently vacant in the men’s team, there are rumours Alejandro Garnacho could be next to wear it.
Female role models are important for young girls around the world, who could previously only look up to male players (and we’re sure some still do!).
According to figures released by the club, Toone’s no.7 shirt was the top-selling Manchester United Women jersey in the 2022/23 season.
Toone’s shirt was also the 10th most popular on United Direct out of every male and female player who finished the campaign.
Speaking about wearing the no.7 shirt, Toone made it crystal clear that it means the world to her:
“I don’t know if they [management] were aware of it, but I remember it was one of the first times we’d all met,” Ella said in her UTD Podcast.
“I think we’d met Casey [Stoney] at Old Trafford, she was talking, there was a few of us in the room and she handed us this – it was like a box – and I opened it and it was a shirt with ‘Toone 7’ on the back.
“So, I just thought: ‘Wow, that’s amazing, number seven!’ And then I was like: ‘What does the seven mean, is this my number or what?’ I didn’t think it would be my number and she was like: ‘Yeah, you’re the no.7 for Manchester United.’ And obviously for me that was so special.
“Like, growing up, supporting the club, Ronaldo being my favourite player, wearing the no.7 shirt whenever I had a kit. I don’t know if they knew that it was special for me, but at the time that was unbelievable. And I couldn’t wait to get home to show my mum and dad.”
Toone will be preparing for the World Cup in Australia with England, kicking off three weeks after the conclusion of the WSL season.
Manchester United’s home kit for next season will be officially released next Tuesday.
