Soccer
Mary Earps booed as Manchester United spoil her return with win over PSG
Mary Earps was booed on her return to English football as Manchester United made it three successive wins in the Women’s Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Paris St Germain at Old Trafford.
The goalkeeper was a Red Devils favourite until leaving for the French capital at the end of her contract last summer, a decision that did not go down well with many United fans.
Earps’ comments about that choice, which she attributed partly to a perceived lack of urgency from United to tie her to a new deal, as well as the much-publicised criticism of Hannah Hampton and Sarina Wiegman in her new autobiography meant much of the focus on the game was around the reception she would receive.
Speaking ahead of the game, the 32-year-old told the BBC: “I’m probably expecting a little booing. I hope it’s a little bit but it might be a lot.”
She did not have to wait long to find out, with her first touch greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd of close to 15,000.
The negative reaction was not universal and the second time Earps received the ball a number of fans made a point of cheering and clapping.
The pantomime-style dynamic continued throughout the match – perhaps fitting given the circus that has surrounded Earps over the past couple of weeks.
United boss Marc Skinner shrugged off suggestions the attention on Earps would overshadow a big occasion for his side, with the historic moment of playing at Old Trafford for the first time in Europe coupled with a chance to take a big step towards the knockout stages.
Skinner gave 21-year-old Safia Middleton-Patel a first start of the season in goal, with Earps’ successor Phallon Tullis-Joyce feeling the effects of a knock, while Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland started on the bench.
PSG went into the game looking for their first point but they began much the better and Middleton-Patel was fortunate to see Jennifer Echegini’s shot bounce off the inside of her post in only the second minute.
United improved as the half went on and, after Earps had been called into action for the first time to punch away a cross, the home side took the lead in the 31st minute.
A long ball from Jayde Riviere down the right was seized on by Melvine Malard, who outmuscled France team-mate Griedge Mbock Bathy, cut inside and sent a curling shot into the bottom corner, with Earps helpless.
Middleton-Patel had not looked convincing and she fumbled a cross from the lively Rasheedat Ajibade onto the top of the bar but she could do nothing about Olga Carmona’s equaliser with the final action of the half.
The Spain defender, who scored the winner against England in the 2023 World Cup final, picked her spot from 22 yards and found the top corner.
PSG almost took the lead in the opening minute of the second half but Anais Ebayilin’s powerful shot was well saved by Middleton-Patel and, with 58 minutes gone, United retook the lead.
A fine move, with Jess Park at the heart of it, resulted in Anna Sandberg crossing for Fridolina Rolfo to head decisively past Earps.
Earps prevented Malard making it three moments later with a sharp stop at her near post while an excellent block from Riviere snuffed out PSG’s best hope of an equaliser.
