Manchester United Women defender Aoife Mannion could be set for her full international debut as she is being targeted to switch her allegiance to Ireland. The 27-year-old has played for England to under 23s level but still remains available to play having not made her senior debut for the Lionesses.
Ireland manager Vera Pauw recently told the Green Machine Podcast that she is looking to see Mannion represent the country once she has recovered from her ACL injury. The defender is set to be on the bench for the League Cup against Sheffield United on Sunday. Though United women’s head coach Marc Skinner has said, they pencil her in for playing time in the New Year.
Pauw said in the podcast she is targeting the defender to be a part of the squad that we will be playing at the World Cup in Australia / New Zeland during the summer.
“They have to be good players and of course, Aoife Mannion is one of them, she is coming back from an ACL injury so we are hoping that she will be ready and we are dealing with her eligibility.”
Ireland’s Women Manager Vera Pauw speaking to the Green Machine podcast
Mannion who was born in Birmingham but both her parents are originally from Ireland said growing up she did have a number of Ireland shirts and played Gaelic games too. She joined Manchester United last season playing in 19 games across all competitions. However, her season was curtailed after suffering an ACL injury, and is now on the verge of making her comeback.
Head coach Marc Skinner said in his pre-match conference ahead of the Sheffield United game that it will be the New Year when she hopefully gets some game time.
“New Year was always when we were looking to bring Aoife back in and what we were looking for in the fixtures coming up. We’ll have just have to watch where we’re at with the team come Friday and Saturday this week.”
Manchester United Women head coach Marc Skinner speaking in his pre-match conference
Now ready to return, Mannion will give that extra option in United’s defence in the second half of the season. By the summer, she could be an Irish international playing in the World Cup. Ireland reached the tournament after beating Scotland 1-0 in the playoffs back in October.
