Gabby George's dream move to Manchester United turned into a nightmare when she suffered a second anterior cruciate ligament tear just one month into her tenure. The grueling rehabilitation process loomed large, but George, a lifelong United supporter, was resolute in her determination to return to the pitch. Eleven months later, in September, she made her competitive comeback, and an unexpected bonus followed: her first call-up to the England squad since November 2022.
The call from Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman left the left-back speechless. "At the time I was speechless," the 27-year-old recalls from St George’s Park as England prepares for matches against the USA at Wembley and Switzerland at Bramall Lane. "I was spluttering on the phone and I'm never lost for words. When you've been through so much and you get those little wins, it's a big thing for you."
George, who has undergone ACL rehab twice since 2020, admits the second injury was tougher. "The second one was definitely more difficult than the first one," she says. "The first one, I went into it and didn't really know what to expect. [The second one], I'd just signed for Manchester United and I had so many dreams and ambitions and it was all taken away from me within four games."
The toughest part of her injury, she says, was understanding why it happened. "It was a difficult moment and I'm happy to have come through it with the help of Manchester United. To anyone going through an ACL, I'd always advise that mentality is crucial. It's about trusting yourself and trusting your knee again."
George has played in eight of United’s 10 matches this season, contributing to a defense that has kept seven clean sheets and conceded just three goals. "My dream was to enjoy football and that's what I'm doing on a daily basis now," she says. "You never know when you can get it taken away from you and I know first-hand what it feels like."
A former Everton player, George was the first to sign a full-time professional contract with the club in 2017 and received her first senior Lionesses call-up a year later. Injuries have limited her to just two caps. With clubmate Maya Le Tissier dropping out of the England squad due to concussion protocols, Lotte Wubben-Moy was called up.
George watched the Lionesses’ 2022 European Championship final victory over Germany at Wembley as a fan and has never played at the national stadium. Injuries ruled her out of the 2020 FA Cup final with Everton and last season’s final with United, giving her extra motivation to perform against the Olympic champions. "I'm there for the team, wherever they need me," she says.
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