Michael Jordan inspired England ace who is starring for Man United in WSL

"I'm a massive Michael Jordan fan and that's why I wear number 23. I actually met him when I was in America," Russo beamed when she spoke to talkSPORT in December. "He went to my university. To see him in and around the campus every now and again was amazing."

Russo certainly has the potential to be one of women's football greats in this country in the long run and is currently riding the crest of a wave after netting her maiden England hat-trick against Latvia in November.

In truth, it has been an eye-catching start to the season for Russo, who has scored three goals in the Women's Super League so far and won goal of the month for November for her superb strike against Tottenham Hotspur.

Russo, though, still feels there is more to come.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT on her maiden England hat-trick, the 22-year-old said: "It was great. When the first one went in, I was a little bit emotional but it didn't last long, because I knew I had 25 minutes left to play.

"It was an unbelievable moment for me, but also for my family as it was so nice to have them in the stands. I think it's probably the weirdest hat-trick I'll ever score but any goal for England you'll take.

"I hope that there's lots more to come. I still see lots of improvement areas for my game and that's what I'm trying to do in training [in terms of] improving these areas where I'm aware that I want to push on and I want to compete more and get more goals, assists and wins for the team. The more games I get, the more confidence starts to build and hopefully, more will come."

Russo joined Manchester United in September 2020 after spending three years in America with North Carolina Tar Heels and got off to a flying start to life with the Red Devils, netting three goals in her first four games.

But her first campaign with United was cruelly cut short after she sustained a hamstring injury in training which required surgery, meaning she only made her return to action on the final day of last season after suffering a series of setbacks.

Unsurprisingly, it meant that last season was an incredibly frustrating one on a personal level for Russo and it's no surprise the England international is determined to make up for lost time in the coming months.

"I think anytime anyone asks me about form and goals this season, I just take it back to the fact that I'm really enjoying being back on the pitch after a long spell out last season," said the Lioness.

"I'm just loving playing football and getting consistent minutes and training every week and I think that when I'm enjoying what I'm doing is when I play at my best. I'm really happy to be able to play again after such a tough year last season.

"Mentally, it was really tiring actually and more than [it was] physically I think. To be able to be so close so many times and then, unfortunately, things not necessarily going to plan [was tough].

"But I think it shaped me as a player and it pushes me on today to work even harder and enjoy every session and every game and leave everything out there on the pitch as always."

United are still adjusting to life under new boss Marc Skinner, who replaced Casey Stoney as head coach in the summer after she resigned in May having guided the club to consecutive fourth place finishes in the WSL.

The Red Devils have struggled for consistency in the first half of the season after a summer of change both on and off the pitch, but Russo believes that it is only a matter of time before things start to click.

"There's loads more to come," he said. "We know that some performances haven't been up to par and we know that as players and staff.

"January/February, you have a lot of games coming round quite quickly and people may begin to fatigue and teams may let their foot off the gas a little bit and I think that's when we really need to take it up a level and show everyone what we're really capable.

"This league is so competitive and this season more than any other. Of course, we're a super competitive group of girls and staff and we all want to be pushing for Champions League. That's where we want to take this club but at the same time, we've got to put the performances in to back up our words."

The Women's Super League returns this weekend and Manchester United currently sit fourth in the Women's Super League, seven points off league leaders Arsenal.