The Mancunian rain teemed down relentlessly on Old Trafford as Mary Earps took to English soil for the first time in a year.
It was a fitting backdrop for the storied return of one of Manchester United Women’s greatest players — now wearing the colours of Paris Saint-Germain — on a night that marked both clubs’ first-ever Champions League match at this famous ground.
It was also easy to see why the former England No 1 had traded the dreary North West for the City of Light and all its picturesque charm.
While much of the recent attention surrounding her book, All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me, has focused on the claims levelled against England head coach Sarina Wiegman and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Earps also delved into her high-profile departure from United last summer.
In the months leading up to her exit, the Euro 2022 winner’s relationship with the Old Trafford faithful had deteriorated as she looked for a move.
In fairness to Earps, United appear forever suspended between two realms — one eye fixed on the future, yet interminably weighed down by years of limited interest and investment.
The rain teemed down relentlessly on Old Trafford as Mary Earps returned to her former club
This meeting with former side Manchester United marked Earps’ first outing in her home country since starting for the Lionesses against the USA at Wembley last November
While the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City have been breaking the bank to flood the women’s top flight with Europe and America’s finest talent, United have seen major players depart on free transfers and go on to lift silverware elsewhere.
These days they have a squad brimming with exciting young talent – Jess Park once again stood out here since her summer switch – but it is still difficult to see them being able to maintain these standards across multiple fronts given their limited depth.
The Reds started tonight with untested second goalkeeper, Safia Middleton-Patel, and three full-backs amid a dearth of centre-backs. Middleton-Patel, may it be added, had a promising first display while United No 1 Phallon Tullis-Joyce recovers from a face injury.
Their defeat against Aston Villa at the weekend, after Marc Skinner rotated his best side with an eye on this fixture, was their first of the season and was costly. It dropped them down to third and they are now three points off league leaders Chelsea.
Against this backdrop, it is little surprise that Earps decided a fresh start was the best fit for the next chapter of her career, and to a team that has consistently made the semi-finals of this competition in four of the last five seasons.
The irony, of course, is that Earps joined PSG to chase the riches of Champions League football, while her former club looks in a far stronger position at this stage.
Goals from Melvine Malard and Fridolina Rolfo made it three wins in three for Marc Skinner’s newcomers, while the French side are still without a point.
As for the game itself, Earps was very much Earps. The same swagger, the same self-assuredness and commanding presence between the posts.
Had you slept through the past year, only the occasional ‘allez’ from the English goalkeeper would have hinted that the yellow-shirted custodian now played for the opposition
Skinner has certainly managed to find a tune out of these youngsters so far in this competition – and United soared to third in the league phase with their victory over the Parisian outfit
Had you slept through the past year, only the occasional ‘allez’ from the English goalkeeper would have hinted that the yellow-shirted custodian now played for the opposition.
And it seemed the fans were equally conflicted. United boss Skinner said they would ‘pay tribute’ to what the 30-year-old had done for the club, and the supporters appeared determined to honour that promise.
Every time she touched the ball, boos would erupt — only to be drowned out by a standing ovation moments later. A wayward pass drew jeers, yet a brilliant, goal-saving stop in the 60th minute earned immediate applause.
At full time, she received a warm reception from the 14,000 fans who had largely been packed into the South Stand, as well as an even warmer embrace from her former teammates including Lionesses Ella Toone and Maya Le Tissier. Moments that should help lift her spirits after the turbulence surrounding last week’s book release, according to Skinner.
‘I said to her at the end to look after herself,’ the United manager said. ‘It was a lovely atmosphere and she got a cheer when she walked down at the end of the game and hopefully that helps her in the situation and how she feels.
‘After the game it was always going to be friendly with Mary because she was a big part of what we have done and we should never forget that.’
Respect mingled with a newfound sense of optimism for the future as United soared to third in the league phase, with the home crowd heading home happy for the way it all worked out in the end.
