MILLIE Turner is top of the tree for Christmas with her Manchester United team.

The Wilmslow 24-year-old was among the scorers as United's 6-1 home win against her former club Bristol City at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday ensured for the Reds a four-point lead over Arsenal in top spot of the Women's Super League.

Despite the impact on life of the coronavirus pandemic, it has proven to be quite a year for Turner, who signed a new contract and gained her first England senior call-up in September as well as enjoying great form in the heart of the United defence.

She has also been pleased to see her younger brother Jake play regular League Two football in goal for Morecambe, where he is on loan for the season from Newcastle United.

Everything is coming together for the former Wilmslow High School student, who left her role as skipper of the established Bristol City side to sign for the newly created United team less than two years ago.

Knutsford Guardian:

Millie Turner's headed goal against Bristol City. Picture: PA Wire

Previously used more as a holding midfielder, she set up at the back as United stormed through the Championship last year – with Turner ever present – to book their place in Super League.

Turner more than played her part in the Reds finishing fourth in the season that was curtailed by Covid-19 in March, but she and the team have gone up another level this term to take command as the halfway point is approached.

Such is her considered importance to the team, she has missed only one match since United were established and nobody has played more than her 62 games in a Red shirt.

But durability is one of only many assets that Turner brings to the team.

United manager Casey Stoney, a former England international, said at the time Turner signed a new contract until the end of next season with an option for a further year: "Millie has been a solid figure in our backline for the last couple of years.

“She is always pushing herself and others, and aside from her obvious talent on the pitch, she is such a positive character to have in our environment and that really has an impact throughout the team.

“She has a fantastic work rate and attitude.”

Knutsford Guardian:

Picture: PA Wire

Turner has gone full circle to be where she is now.

She was in United’s girls programme in her mid-teens but left at 17 as they did not have an adult women’s team.

Turner joined Everton, where she reached and played in the FA Cup Final against Arsenal in 2014, and stayed with the Blues until moving south with Bristol in 2017.