Jackie Groenen, Old Trafford and Ella Toone
Manchester United reformed its women's team in 2018 and this will be the second time they have played at Old Trafford stadium

Manchester United's women's team will play in front of fans at Old Trafford for the first time in the club's history on Sunday and manager Marc Skinner said it will remind him of romanticism left in football.

They played at the men's stadium a year ago when they beat West Ham 2-0 in the Women's Super League.

It will be a special game. It feels like it has a wonderful history. He said you can feel it and absorb it.

It should be great to play in this wonderful stadium for our home fans. Hopefully it will encourage us to get more energy out of our players.

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'It's another special moment in my career'

Poster on the outside of Old Trafford
Ella Toone (bottom left) on a poster on the outside of Old Trafford

The victory at Old Trafford last season was described by Toone as a "dream come true".

The England player had to leave the academy to play senior football after six years because he was a lifelong United fan.

When United reformed their women's team in 2018, Toone returned and has gone on to become a huge success, featuring on a poster alongside childhood hero CR7 on the outside of Old Manchester.

It's really weird! It is amazing that my face is on the side of Old United, a club I have supported my whole life. As soon as I saw it, my family came down and took pictures in front of it.

It's amazing and we can't wait to be here. It will be even better this time because we have fans, and it is another special moment in my career.

Having made her mark on Old United's exterior, Toone is hoping to produce the goods on the pitch and reflect on the first time she showed her skills at the Theatre of Dreams.

The memory that sticks out for me is when I was growing up in the academy and we got to go out at half time and play. That was the first time I had ever been to Old Trafford and it was a really special moment for me.

I always wanted to do it again in a proper game so to have that opportunity has been amazing. My family and friends are going to be here.

It is a big part of my family that they come to every home game.

'It puts more respect on our name'

Mary Earps at Old Trafford in 2021
Mary Earps kept a clean sheet in Manchester United's win over West Ham at Old Trafford in 2021

Goalkeeper Mary Earps said you can't put a measure on the impact having fans at Old Trafford will have on her side.

I hope we can pack it away. That is the most important thing, she said.

In tough times and great times, the fans pull us over the line. It is nice to know that they will be loud and proud and hopefully we can put on a good performance on the pitch.

Earps said the occasion felt like a long time in the making, but is encouraged by the growth of the women's team having been given the opportunity to play at Old Trafford, four months before England open the home Euros at the same stadium.

It is more about the history of the club. Earps said it was nice to feel that integration and feel a part of the club.

People say the women's side is still new but as a team we feel like we've been together for a long time. Playing in stadiums like this and putting on a show, puts a bit more respect on our name. I can't wait!

When she walks out at Old Manchester this time, it will be even more special because she is a United fan.

It will be huge. She said that they were tired of playing in front of people and were sick of it.

You want to do it right if you are going to do it. Everyone knows what the vibe is like when we go to the stadium before.

I've been to a few games to watch the men's team. It is a different kind of football as soon as you walk into the stadium. Everyone is excited to be here. It's good for the women's side of the game and a good sign from the club.