Man Utd defender admits ‘I’m going to start crying’ after triumphant return from year-long injury

In an emotional post match interview, Republic Of Ireland international Aoife Mannion revealed she was verging on tears after playing a starring role in the victory - her first 90 minutes for the club in over a year due to an ACL injury.

Alessia Russo’s strike in first half injury time was all that separated the sides as Marc Skinner’s team completed the double over their title rivals for the first time in their history. The win moved them six points clear of the Gunners as they look to lift their first ever WSL title.

However, it was the triumphant return of Mannion that stole the bulk of the headlines and the centre back admitted the emotion of it all was getting the better of her in the aftermath of her a surprise return to the starting XI.

"There's no words for that win. My voice has gone. Every part of my body is cramping” said the 27-year-old.

“As a team I’m just so pleased we got the result to get over the line. It was a game of two halves. In the first half it really felt like we could get into a rhytym but low and behold everything changed in second half. To be fair to Arsenal they had us on the back foot and we felt like we were hanging on to that led but we did think we deserved it.”

The centre back, who has twice battled back from ACL injuries during her career, was awarded player of the match by the BBC cameras and didn’t show any signs of rustiness after being drafted in to replace Millie Turner for the crunch clash.

“I’m so pleased. I must say my body was hanging on towards the end. I’m delighted personally. I told our comms guy I needed to get the interview out of the way or I am going to start crying, so I’m just really pleased.

“Those last five minutes, I can't tell you how they felt. I was looking at everybody eyes and going 'come on let's just get this out' - sometimes in football it works and today was one of those days.”