Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone faces a critical time off the pitch. An injury blow rules her out of the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League playoff matches against Atletico Madrid. This setback also casts a shadow over her involvement in England‘s Lionesses 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, which start in March.
Toone has been sidelined since December with a hip injury. It’s described as a “bone stress response” in her hip, a common issue in high-intensity football for women. This absence is a major concern for both club and country.
Toone’s Road to Recovery and Missed Matches
The 26-year-old last played for Manchester United in a 2-1 League Cup final win over Tottenham, right before the winter break. That was in December. She hasn’t featured since.
Man Utd head coach Marc Skinner first disclosed the injury January 21. He projected a 6-8 week recovery timeline then. Skinner recently confirmed Toone won’t be in the squad for either Champions League leg against Atletico Madrid.
The first leg is this Thursday. The return leg is set for February 19. Toone is scheduled for a specialist consultation soon. There’s no confirmed return date, only that initial 6-8 week estimate.
This means an optimistic return would be early March, based on the initial January 21 projection. That’s a tight window. See more football news at Goal.com AU.
Impact on Manchester United’s Champions League Push
Losing Toone for these Champions League playoffs is a big deal for United. They need to get past Atletico Madrid to even think about the quarter-finals.
If United advance, they could face Bayern Munich in late March or early April. Skinner expressed hope for those later stages. He said, “She just needs to heal basically.”
The coach added, “She won’t be involved in the first Champions League matches. Hopefully, if we qualify, we can have her back for the subsequent ones.” Her presence would be vital if they make it through.
These matches are critical. A place in the Champions League quarter-finals would be huge for the club. Toone’s creative spark will be missed.
Lionesses World Cup Qualifiers Now in Doubt
Toone is a key midfielder for the England Lionesses. Her potential absence affects their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign. England starts those qualifiers against Ukraine in March.
This injury timeline puts her March involvement in doubt. England can’t afford to be without a player of her caliber. She’s a regular starter and a creative force.
The bone stress response in her hip requires careful management. It needs rest above all. Rushing back could make things worse. Find out more about women’s football on Goal.com US.
Her role in the Lionesses midfield is hard to replace. Coach Sarina Wiegman will be watching her recovery closely. The team needs their best players for these qualifiers.
The Waiting Game
There are no updated recovery timelines past the initial 6-8 week estimate. Fans for both United and England will be waiting for news. A potential League Cup final for Man Utd is also on March 15. She might miss that too.
The focus remains on her healing. A specialist consultation will provide more clarity. For now, both teams must plan without their midfield star. It’s a tough situation for Ella Toone. We wish her a swift return to the pitch. Keep up with the latest football news on Goal.com.
