Mary Earps Manchester United Return: Boos and Cheers in Emotional PSG Clash as Middleton-Patel Shines
Mary Earps’ return to Old Trafford on November 12, 2025, stirred a storm of emotions—boos at kick-off turning to cheers at full-time—as Manchester United defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Women’s Champions League. But while Earps dominated headlines, it was 21-year-old goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel who stole the show, earning player of the match in her European debut and first Old Trafford start. United’s historic first Champions League home win (14,667 fans) keeps them top of Group D, but the night belonged to resilience, rivalry, and redemption.
Key Moments
- Scoreline: United 2-1 PSG (Malard 13′, Carmona 45+3′; Rolfo 58′)
- Earps Reception: Mixed—initial jeers, standing ovation at end
- Middleton-Patel: 5 saves, including Ebayilin post-bound effort; second senior start
- Tullis-Joyce Absence: Facial injury; first missed game since August
- Crowd: Record 14,667—biggest United Women home attendance 2025/26
- Group D: United 9 pts (top); PSG 0 pts (bottom after 3 losses)
Earps’ Emotional Homecoming: From Hero to Villain… and Back
501 days after leaving United for PSG, Earps stepped onto Old Trafford turf amid pouring rain and a mural proclaiming “Welcome to Manchester.” The irony? Her autobiography All In (released October 2025) sparked backlash—critiques of England’s Euro 2025 keeper choice (Hannah Hampton) and United’s contract talks.
Pre-match: Boos as her name echoed; jeers on touches. Earps expected it: “A little booing? Hope so. United’s No. 1 team for fans.”
In action: PSG’s No. 1 shone—fine save on Malard’s early curler; helpless on Rolfo’s header. Post-match: Lap of honor drew applause, hugs from ex-teammates like Toone.
Earps to Disney+: “Quality shone through. Fans behind me by end—nice.”
PSG coach Paulo Cesar: “Great performance; gives confidence. Fans cheered her quality.”
United’s Marc Skinner: “Friendly always. She’s intelligent, understands. Lovely atmosphere helped her.”
Earps’ legacy: 125 apps, 2024 FA Cup win (United’s first major trophy), Euro 2022 heroics. Move to PSG: Craved Champions League shot (United missed 2024).
Middleton-Patel: Thrust into Spotlight, Delivers Man of the Match
News hit matchday: Phallon Tullis-Joyce out with facial injury (sustained training, November 10). Backup Middleton-Patel—21, Wales international—got the nod. Her prior United outing? League Cup vs Newcastle (second-tier, October 2025).
Two minutes in: Echegini post-rattler. Reminder of stakes—PSG, four-time semi-finalists.
But Middleton-Patel settled: Second-half masterclass. 46′: Ebayilin thunderbolt pushed onto post. Commanded box; 88% pass accuracy.
Skinner: “Player of the match. Psychological jump—from Newcastle to this? Immense maturity. Credit to her, staff.”
Middleton-Patel: “Nerves? Rachel Williams did star jumps with me—energy out. Believed in myself.”
Skinner: “Said pre-game: ‘Be you.’ Good footballer—calms build-up. Proud. Part of history: First Champions League at Old Trafford.”
Career snapshot:
- Joined United Academy 2020 (Liverpool U16s)
- Senior debut: December 2024 League Cup
- Wales: Euro 2025 squad; 3 caps (1 clean sheet)
- Contract: To 2028 (August 2025 extension)
Match Breakdown: United’s Grit Edges PSG
Rain-soaked Old Trafford: United’s first European home game. 14,667—season high.
First half: Malard opener (13′)—Ajibade cross, clinical finish. Earps denied follow-up.
PSG pushback: Carmona equalizer (45+3′)—looped 25-yarder over Middleton-Patel.
Second: Rolfo winner (58′)—Sandberg cross, unmarked header. United absorbed pressure; Earps saved Malard curler.
United scorers: Malard, Rolfo. PSG: Carmona.
Skinner: “Statement win. Depth key—quick turnaround from Villa loss.”
Group D (post-MD3):
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 9 |
| Real Madrid | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| Twente | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| PSG | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 0 |
United next: Wolfsburg (A, November 19). PSG: Bayern (H, November 20).
The Bigger Picture: Goalkeepers, Grit, and United’s Rise
Earps vs Middleton-Patel: Tale of two keepers. Earps (PSG): 12 clean sheets in 25 apps; Earps’ exit opened door for Tullis-Joyce (USWNT), now sidelined.
United’s GK rotation:
- Tullis-Joyce: 10 starts, 6 clean sheets (2025/26)
- Middleton-Patel: 2 apps, 1 clean sheet
- Earps legacy: 125 apps, 2024 FA Cup hero
WSL: United 4th (16 pts, 1 behind leaders Chelsea). Next: Man City (A, November 16).
Skinner on youth: “Safia’s jump? Unmeasurable. Deserves romantic history.”
Earps’ book fallout: Retired from England pre-Euro 2025; Hampton started. United fans: Mixed—boos faded to respect.
Verdict: Emotional Night, United’s Statement
Earps’ return: Pantomime drama, heartfelt cheers. Middleton-Patel: Poise beyond years, match-winner.
United: Perfect Champions League record (3/3). PSG: Winless, pressure on Cesar.
Old Trafford magic lives—goalkeepers stole spotlight, but United’s attack stole victory.
