Footballer Millie Turner has opened up on a health scare which led to a remarkable comeback, as the Manchester United defender says 'I've never had a plan B'
Lioness Millie Turner has lived and breathed the beautiful game for as long as she can remember
Lioness Millie Turner has lived and breathed the beautiful game for as long as she can remember(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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From brushing her teeth as she played with a football at her feet as a young girl, to pulling on the famous red shirt of Manchester United Women, Lioness Millie Turner has lived and breathed the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Now 29, the Manchester-born defender has become a key part of the club’s rise in women’s football since joining in 2018, while also achieving a lifelong dream of making her debut for the England Women's National Football Team in 2024.
Millie, who grew up in a football-obsessed house alongside her twin brother, Bruce and her younger brother Jake, 27 - a professional goalkeeper for Gillingham FC, tells that playing football is all she ever wanted: “I’ve never had a Plan B. I just wanted to play football.”
Now 29, the Manchester-born defender has become a key part of the club’s rise in women’s football since joining in 2018
Now 29, the Manchester-born defender has become a key part of the club’s rise in women’s football since joining in 2018(Image: Clare Overfield/SPP/Shutterstock)
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The sports star has played centre-half since joining Manchester United eight years ago, and tells us,“I’ve been lucky enough to see the whole journey we’ve been through, how much the club has progressed and how the fanbase has grown over the years. It’s been a really special journey.”
Representing Manchester United carries an even deeper meaning for Millie, who grew up in the city and previously spent time in the club’s academy, before a women’s team even existed.
“Growing up in Manchester, I know how big the club is,” she explains. “At the time, when I was younger, there wasn’t a women’s team to look up to, so to be able to come back and play for the club I grew up at is so special. Every time I put the shirt on, I play with so much pride. I want to win for this club.”
Representing Manchester United carries an even deeper meaning for Millie, who grew up in the city
Representing Manchester United carries an even deeper meaning for Millie, who grew up in the city (Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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A huge milestone for her came in February 2024, when Millie made her senior debut for England, during a 5-1 win against the Italy Women's National Football Team.
“It’s what I’ve worked a long time for. And it was even more special because my dad was able to come out and watch. To make that debut with him there meant a lot.”
The moment was even sweeter considering the adversity she had faced, just two years earlier. In 2022, Millie was diagnosed with carotid artery dissection - a tear in one of the main arteries between the heart and brain, that can increase the risk of stroke.
“It was definitely the biggest challenge I’ve faced,” she admits, softly. “There was a lot of uncertainty about whether I’d ever be able to come back and play again. I’m someone who needs to exercise every day, so having that taken away for six months was really difficult.”
The first sign that something was seriously wrong appeared over the Christmas period, when Milile noticed changes in her speech and vision.
“My speech was a bit blurred, I was mixing my words up. I could also feel my heartbeat in my ear, and my vision just wasn’t right,” she recalls. “After some tests and scans, they discovered the carotid artery dissection.”
A huge milestone for her came in February 2024, when Millie made her senior debut for England, during a 5-1 win against the Italy Women's National Football Team
A huge milestone for her came in February 2024, when Millie made her senior debut for England, during a 5-1 win against the Italy Women's National Football Team
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(Image: Getty Images)
It was a frightening time, she recalls - and the recovery process required patience, and some strict limitations. “I wasn’t allowed to do anything for months - that meant absolutely no football, and I had to make sure to keep my heart rate below 120.
“It 100% crossed my mind that my career might be over, especially after the doctors said there was a high risk of potentially having a stroke”.
Thankfully, after six difficult months, the artery healed naturally. “When I got the news that it had healed, I just burst into tears,” Millie remembers. “It was such a huge relief, after a really tough time.”
Throughout the ordeal, her teammates, she admits, were a huge source of strength. “I was still able to come in and see the girls, and that helped a lot. I’m really grateful to them for getting me through that period.”
Despite the challenges she’s faced to date, Millie says it’s incredible to see how far women’s football has come
Despite the challenges she’s faced to date, Millie says it’s incredible to see how far women’s football has come (Image: WSL Football via Getty Images)
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Despite the challenges she’s faced to date, Millie says it’s incredible to see how far women’s football has come and as she puts it, see it finally ‘getting to where it should be’.
“Since the girls won the Euros, the game has just gone crazy, in a good way,” she says. “When we were younger, nothing was full-time, and the game wasn’t where it should be. Being part of the journey to where it is now is incredible.”
We’re used to seeing her in that distinctive kit, but when it comes to her style away from the pitch, does Millie relish getting on the glamour a bit? Laughing, she shakes her head no.
“I’m definitely not a girly girl,” she admits. “I wear trackies every single day. If I could go out in trackies all the time, I would. Comfort’s my style, I just like to be comfy.”
That said, Millie does occasionally make an exception - especially when it comes to her teammates. With fellow United star Ella Toone set to tie the knot soon, she jokes that she’ll make an exception, and swap her trainers for some heels for her pal’s big day.
“Tooney’s got a wedding coming up, so I’ll wear heels for her wedding if I have to,” she laughs. “But apart from that, absolutely not.”
Away from the pitch, Millie enjoys what she calls a ‘simple’ life, including playing the odd game on her PlayStation and hanging out with her adorable Bernedoodle, Pongo.
“Oh, Pongo is a big part of our lives”, she laughs. “Taking him out for walks just helps take our minds off everything.”
Away from the pitch, Millie enjoys what she calls a ‘simple’ life, including playing the odd game on her PlayStation and hanging out with her adorable Bernedoodle
Away from the pitch, Millie enjoys what she calls a ‘simple’ life, including playing the odd game on her PlayStation and hanging out with her adorable Bernedoodle(Image: WSL Football via Getty Images)
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The playful pup has even become something of a social media star, with his own Instagram account and appearances in new YouTube series Golden Paw, where footballers take on dog agility challenges, judged by Britain's Got Talent star Ashleigh Butler.
“It’s just light-hearted fun,” Millie says. “Pongo did really well on the obstacle course, actually, especially for such a big dog!”
Looking ahead, the ambitious player remains focused on continuing her journey with Manchester United. “My immediate goal is helping the club get to where it should be, winning trophies and reaching cup finals”.
And even when her playing days eventually come to an end, she knows football will always be part of it. “I’ll definitely stay in the game somehow,” she says with a smile. “Maybe coaching or working around football. It’s what I love and what I always want to be around!”