Watson: I'm buzzing to be back

From the landmark moment of signing her first professional contract with United Women last summer, just six weeks later she was coming to terms with the lengthy road to recovery ahead, having suffered a ruptured ACL while on international duty with Scotland.

That ushered in 12 months of hard work, grit and determination from Watson to get her budding young football career back on track, and it all paid off when she made her return to the pitch in pre-season.

"I'm buzzing to be back with the girls," the midfielder said. "Back training with them every day, back in the environment and actually feeling like a footballer again, not just a rehabber! So it's been great and I'm loving every minute of being back."

But such is the strong mentality needed to bounce back from a long layoff so early in her career, Watson is keen to take any positives she can from the experience.

She said: "Yes, I didn't play for 12 months, but I was getting better in other areas of my game that needed improving so I don't see that as time lost, I see that time as full of growth that's going to help me in my career, mentally as well."

The hard yards have all undoubtedly been done by Watson herself, but she hasn't been on this journey on her own. Watson credits those around her for making a tough year that little bit easier for herself and team-mates Gabby George and Jess Simpson, who both also suffered ACL injuries at a similar time.

"The support as well at United has been huge, I can't fault anything," the Scotland international said. "The physios have been great, Marc [Skinner]'s been great, the coaching staff... every single person has been there for us to lean on. I'm really grateful I'm at a club that offers that much support.

"I don't think I could have got through the injury without everyone having my back."

With a challenging year in the treatment room now in the rear-view mirror, Watson only has one thing on her mind moving forward: making her competitive debut for the Reds.

"It would mean the world to me," she said. "When something's taken away from you so quick and having to go through a process to get back to that... all that hard work getting back, all those long hours in the gym, the early mornings, the late nights, everything I've been thorugh, it would all be worth it for that one moment to make my debut for Manchester United.

"It's every young girl's dream so, I'm just going to keep working hard and hopefully make it happen."

You can read Emma Watson's full interview in the Official Matchday Programme, on sale for £3 at the ground ahead of Manchester United Women v Liverpool in the Women's League Cup.