At home interview with Manchester United Women forward Kirsty Hanson

Up for discussion: overcoming her ankle injury, weekly cooking challenges from the club and looking ahead to her birthday – which is today! Happy 22nd, Kirsty…

Hi Kirsty. How are you, and where are you?
I’m good, thanks. I’m back with my mum and dad [in Halifax], in the house I grew up in.

You’ve told us in the past how much you’ve been inspired by your parents. It must be nice to spend some quality time together, despite the circumstances?
It is. It’s just the three of us here. I’ve got a brother but he’s got his own house just up the road. I might pop home on a weekday from Manchester, but I haven’t spent any real time here since the summer. It’s been good. 

No pets to keep the three of you entertained?
No, unfortunately. I used to have some guinea pigs here, but they all died. I still get upset when mum and dad say I’m not allowed another pet! [Laughs]

It’s 10.30am. Tell us what your plans are for today…
It’s just a normal day, training wise. I got up a bit earlier today, which I do on a Tuesday and a Friday because we’ve got our team video call in a bit. I was up by 8am to begin my training programme, with a bit of power training at home. Then I went to the park – it’s a nice open space and I always train in a specific spot so no one gets in the way. I did my running there, then I was back home to finish off my breakfast before these calls. It’s good to see everyone on the web call, to catch up and see how everyone is doing. It’s a really good idea to do it twice a week. I’ll finish off the rest of my programme later – which is upper body, lower body and core – then have some lunch, do some technical [training] in the garden. Obviously when I’m on my own it’s hard to train with a football, but last summer my mum bought a big rebound net for me to kick a ball on to while I’m here, so that’s come in handy, I’ve been using that a lot. After that, I might relax and watch a bit of TV!

We’re sure you will have earned it by then! What sort of outdoor space do you have at your parents’ house?
Probably a similar space to what I have in Manchester. It’s not a massive garden but I can do my stuff; it’s enough.