Ella Toone quickly learned that you do not keep Sir Alex Ferguson waiting.

The England forward sat below the former Manchester United boss in the director’s box at Old Trafford when the men played Chelsea at the start of December.

The pair chatted about all things United but when Toone was late for the second half, Ferguson was pointing at his watch – just as he used to do in the Old Trafford dugout.

‘My phone blew up so I knew that we’d been caught on telly cause usually it pans to Sir Alex.

Man United star Ella Toone has told of how she received a telling off from legendary former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson

‘He’s such a nice guy and we had a nice little chat as well.’

Toone is speaking to Mail Sport after launching her own brand ‘ET7’, which saw her become the first Lioness to trademark her name.

The United forward also has plans to open her own academy dedicated to women’s football in 2024.

‘I’ve always wanted to have my own brand and academy,’ Toone says. ‘My idol was Cristiano Ronaldo and his brand is CR7. I wore every boot that he brought out.

‘I remember sitting at the table and drawing out Cristiano Ronaldo’s logo and hopefully little girls are sat at the table drawing out the ET7 logo. It’s nice to try and use my platform as best as I can to inspire young girls and boys.

Toone has launched her new brand ET7 – which she said was inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo’s CR7

‘The academy side of things is something that I hold really close to my heart. I really like giving back to the grassroots and where I started and making sure that young girls and boys have opportunities to start their journey.

‘I think the main aim for me is hoping that one day someone who comes to my academy goes on to make it to playing in the WSL or to achieving their dreams. 

‘Especially someone from my area would always be nice as well. It’s a small area, not a lot of things happen in Tyldesley. For me to try and be a role model and play a part in another player’s journey would be really special to me.’

Toone’s brand launch follows the creation of her YouTube channel last year. Episodes have seen her link up with England team-mate Alessia Russo, as well as reluctantly navigating London’s Underground transport system.

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‘I always moan when I’m on the tube,’ Toone laughs. ‘They [her team] know I don’t like it, that’s why they keep putting me on it. I’ve not been [to London] for months cause I know they’re gonna put me on the tube.

Toone is only 24 but she is already Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer

This year she became the first England player, male or female, to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of a major tournament by scoring against Australia at the World Cup

‘I feel like I’m really connected to my audience. One of the reasons I started the YouTube channel was to make sure that I could connect with fans in a different way and really show them an insight into my life away from football as well.

‘Crowds are growing now so it’s difficult to get round to everyone but we do try our best as players to interact but it’s a lot more difficult now.’

Toone is still only 24 but is already United’s all-time record goalscorer and appearance holder. In the last England squad, only Beth Mead had more goals for the Lionesses. 

Toone’s strike against Australia in the semi-final of the World Cup meant she became the first England player, male or female, to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of a major tournament. But the forward rarely gets a chance to take stock of her achievements.

‘I don’t think I ever really get a moment to think about it. Games come thick and fast and you forget to reflect on things. Having this break is nice to just reflect on everything over the year and to look back on the highs and the lows and make sure that I enjoy them and know that I’m proud of myself for what I’ve achieved and what I’ve done.

‘It’s difficult, we’ve come off the back of losing a World Cup final and going straight into a new season again, you don’t really have time to process those things. You just get on with the next thing that’s in front of you.’

Toone is one of several England players that has barely had a break since winning the European Championship last year. The forward would not have it any other way, but acknowledges that a two-week rest over the Christmas period will be valuable.

‘It’s been a really busy year. It feels like it’s been non-stop. Obviously I love playing and I want to be training every day but I know for my body and my mind that this two-week break is really important.

‘I’ll make sure that I have a bit of time to mentally switch off and recover really well.

‘I know that I have to use it in the best way that I can to really refresh to be ready to go again in the New Year.’