Manchester United players celebrate their 2-1 win against PSG in the Women's Champions League at Old Trafford, with Mary Earps returning to face a mixed reception.
Manchester United players celebrate their 2-1 win against PSG in the Women's Champions League at Old Trafford, with Mary Earps returning to face a mixed reception.
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Manchester United beat PSG 2-1 on Mary Earps' return

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Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Women's Champions League at Old Trafford, maintaining their perfect record with three wins from three games. Former United goalkeeper Mary Earps faced a mixed reception upon her return, including boos from the crowd. Melvine Malard and Fridolina Rolfo scored for United, while Olga Carmona netted PSG's equalizer.

Manchester United hosted Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford for their first Women's Champions League match at the venue, drawing an attendance of 14,667. The game marked Mary Earps' first return to her former club since leaving at the end of the 2023-24 season, amid publicity from her autobiography where she criticized United's handling of her exit. Earps received boos before kick-off and whenever she touched the ball, though some fans cheered in response, and she got a warmer reception at full-time.

United took the lead in the 36th minute when Jayde Riviere's lofted pass found Melvine Malard, who beat the defense and curled the ball past Earps for her first goal in recent matches. PSG leveled just before half-time in the 45th minute with a stunning long-range strike from Olga Carmona into the top corner, her moment of quality in an otherwise subdued performance from the visitors.

The second half saw United regain control early. After Earps' long pass was intercepted by Riviere, United built a 15-pass move starting from goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, culminating in Anna Sandberg's cross for Fridolina Rolfo to head home the winner in the 58th minute. Middleton-Patel, making her second start due to Phallon Tullis-Joyce's injury, earned player of the match honors from manager Marc Skinner for her pivotal save early in the second half.

PSG, who have now lost all three of their European fixtures this season, mustered 14 shots but offered little threat beyond Carmona's goal. United's victory, their third straight in the league phase, positions them third on goal difference and on course for direct quarter-final qualification. "If you’d have said we’d have won three out of three and PSG would have a point I’d have thought you were mad," Skinner said. PSG captain Sakina Karchaoui picked up a yellow card, as did United's Malard and Le Tissier.

What people are saying

Discussions on X highlight Manchester United Women's historic 2-1 victory over PSG in the Women's Champions League at Old Trafford, securing their third consecutive win. Fans celebrated the goals from Melvine Malard and Fridolina Rolfo, praising the team's performance and the electric atmosphere. Reactions to Mary Earps' return were mixed, with boos from some supporters reflecting ongoing tensions from her departure, contrasted by cheers and acknowledgments of her past contributions. Neutral reports focused on the match highlights, while some expressed disappointment for PSG.

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