England international Ella Toone is likely to miss the Women’s League Cup final in March because of a hip injury, Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has confirmed.
Earlier this month Skinner gave Toone a timeline of about six weeks to return – at that time there were still slim hopes she might return to the squad in time for the final, but that now looks extremely unlikely.
Toone, 26, last played in the 2-1 win over Tottenham in the quarter-finals in December and is yet to feature for United in 2026.
She missed their Champions League knockout stages play-off first-leg win over Atletico Madrid this week and their cup semi-final victory over Arsenal last month.
Asked if she was a doubt for the final against Chelsea on 15 March, Skinner said: “Potentially, yes. It probably comes a bit too soon.
“I would imagine we’re aiming for around the Manchester City game [on 29 March]. Hopefully we can welcome her back then.”
United face London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League this Sunday (12:00 GMT) and will be without several players because of injury.
Winger Fridolina Rolfo, who missed Thursday’s 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid, is hoping to return for next week’s second leg at Leigh Sports Village.
Defender Anna Sandberg went off at half-time on Thursday with a calf injury which Skinner says United will assess over the next few days.
There is still no timeframe on a potential return for winger Leah Galton, who has been absent this year with a back injury.
United currently sit second in the WSL table, 11 points adrift of leaders Manchester City who beat Leicester City 6-0 on Friday night.
