Mannion: 'I've hit the ground running' | OneFootball

Newcastle United Women fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Atlético Madrid Femenino - who are set to play Champions League football this season - on Saturday, but the game did allow four of the club's five summer arrivals to play at the stadium for the first time in black and white, with Molly Pike, Jordan Nobbs and Małgorzata Grec also featuring.

Mannion, who joined the club last month following the expiration of her contract at Manchester United Women, has gained valuable minutes across the Lasses' three friendlies so far this summer, but knows Saturday was the toughest test yet.

"For us as a team, it was a baptism of fire," Mannion told newcastleunited.com post-match. "Atletico Madrid are a really good team and we saw that out on the pitch.

"It was just our third pre-season game this summer, and we've already been able to play a mixture of opponents.

"Of course, we didn't get the result that we wanted this time, but we all managed to get valuable minutes in our legs."

The defender had already taken in St. James' Park on the day she joined the club; however, being able to walk out in front of thousands of fans was a totally different experience.

"For me, it was just great to play at St. James' Park," she added. "This is a massive club, with a massive stadium, and the atmosphere was incredible.

"I do feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to play here, but now we've got to review the game and see what we can improve on moving forward."

During her time in Manchester - on both the blue and red half of the city - Mannion suffered two ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries.

So the centre-back has relished being afforded a good amount of time to build up her fitness and relationships with teammates ahead of the WSL2 season.

"I feel lucky to have gotten so many minutes in pre-season so far and feel as though I've hit the ground running here," she said.

"I've managed to get myself right in the thick of everything already, so long may it continue."