Mary Earps received a mixed reception on her return to Old Trafford with Paris Saint-Germain, as Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory in the Champions League. The England goalkeeper was initially applauded by home fans during her warm-up but was later booed by a section of supporters once the match began. The majority of the crowd attempted to drown out the jeers with cheers, and she was given a round of applause at the final whistle.
United head coach Marc Skinner revealed he spoke to Earps after the game, telling her to 'look after yourself'. He highlighted the importance of mental health, given the criticism Earps faced pre-match for her comments about England teammate Hannah Hampton. Skinner described Earps as a 'really intelligent woman' who understands the world she operates in, and expressed hope that the positive atmosphere at the end would help her.
Skinner said: 'I said to her at the end I said; "Look after yourself", because we have already spoken about mental health and how people can be affected. Mary is a really intelligent woman and she has been the world's best. She understands the world she is playing in, but I thought it was a lovely atmosphere and she got a cheer as she walked down the side at the end of the game. Hopefully that will help her in her situation and how she feels.'
The victory maintained United's perfect record in the Champions League, moving them close to qualification for the knockout stages. Skinner added that the relationship with Earps remains friendly, acknowledging her significant contribution to the club.
