Mary Earps, the former Manchester United and England goalkeeper, made her return to Old Trafford amidst a mixed reception. Initially welcomed with cheers during the warm-up for Paris Saint-Germain, Earps also faced some boos at the start of the match.
This visit marks the first time Earps has returned to the stadium since joining the French side in June 2024. Recently, she garnered attention due to the release of her autobiography, ‘All In’, where a passage sparked discussion. In the book, Earps disclosed a conversation with England manager Sarina Wiegman concerning Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, expressing concerns about the young player’s behavior during Euro 2022.
Earps claimed that Hampton’s conduct was ‘disruptive and unreliable’ during the tournament, advising Wiegman against selecting the 24-year-old again as it would be seen as ‘rewarding bad behavior’. These revelations faced backlash from England supporters and pundits, leading Earps to offer a public response on Instagram, acknowledging the divided opinions her honesty may generate.
Despite anticipating a chilly reception from the Old Trafford crowd, Earps was mostly greeted with boos only when she first touched the ball. Prior to the match, she acknowledged the likelihood of some negative reaction, understanding the loyalty of Manchester United fans.
United’s head coach, Marc Skinner, intervened to discourage any hostility towards Earps, affirming her character and suggesting that controversial aspects in her book may be for promotional purposes. He praised her growth and transformation since her time at the club.
Earps aims to impress with her performance against United, who enter the game in good form with two wins in the Champions League, while PSG is yet to secure a victory in the current season’s competition.