Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain: Marie Earps says return to old club was ‘written in the stars’

Earps was a popular figure at United after arriving in 2019 from Wolfsburg.

She played every league game for four seasons as United’s first-choice player and won the FA Women’s Cup in May 2024 – the club’s first major trophy – before heading to France when her contract expired.

Earps was offered a new contract to stay, but she turned it down after much deliberation, saying the club was preparing to “go through a transition period” that was “not in line” with where her career had been.

“I think she will be well received. Her time at Manchester United was very good,” former England midfielder Fara Williams told Football Focus.

“She led them to their first Champions League final while she was there. She finished runners-up with United, and played in two FA Cup finals. She had a great time at the club and the fans loved her, so I’m sure she will be well received back.”

But Earps was less optimistic.

“I might expect a few boos,” she admitted. “I hope it’s a little, but it might be a lot.

“A few fans came out to support me at Paris Saint-Germain, but Manchester United is their first team. I understand that.”

Although he cannot control the reception Earps will receive, Skinner said he looked forward to welcoming her back to Manchester and hoped the new book would not change people’s perceptions of her.

He added: “Deep down I know that Mary is a good person.” “I’m sure part of releasing a book is putting out controversial things that will help sell the book. I know she has to defend that publicly.”

“Knowing her human nature, I’m sure she’ll get criticism she won’t like. It’s part of the other side of publishing a book.

“But she’s a great person, and she doesn’t really need me to say that. I hope people stick with the criticism, but I’m sure Mary understands the position she’s put herself in.”

“She is on a platform where people care about what she has to say, and that is a credit to her and her hard work.

“The goalie we had at the start, who left, wasn’t the same person. It’s transformed.”