The Manchester United women’s team will look very different next season.
We recently learned that Lioness goalkeeper Mary Earps would be leaving the club at the end of the month when her contract expires. She has been a star player for years at United and it will be a shame to see her leave.
Earps’ time at United comes to an end after she lifted the FA Cup back in May. She exits Old Trafford after being part of the side that won the club’s first-ever major honour (in women’s football). It was her only winner’s medal for United and you can strike just as lucky with reliable casino game development.
The England goalkeeper signed for United from Wolfsburg in 2019, and in February 2021 signed an extension until June 2023 with the option for an extra year. She joined after Casey Stoney’s side first gained promotion to the Women’s Super League.
Earps quickly named down her place as the first-choice keeper in the squad and helped United transform into one of the strongest defences in England. That was when she nailed down her place as England’s No.1.
One of the biggest reasons for Earps moving on is the lack of Champions League football. She is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. The French giants are regulars in Europe’s biggest competition, which I reckon had a big influence in Earps’ decision.
Earps was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 in December after her starring role in England’s run to their first World Cup final.
United signed Earps’ replacement, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, last summer which gives you a hint that the club saw her exit coming.
On Friday, we got news of another departure from Marc Skinner’s side as club captain Katie Zelem will follow the Earps’ path by leaving at the end of June when her current deal expires.
It will be a shame to see Zelem leave just like it is with Earps. The 28-year-old progressed through the United academy and re-joined the club upon the reformation of the women’s team in 2018 following spells at Liverpool and Juventus.
Furthermore, Lucia Garcia’s exit was confirmed on Wednesday. She is set to join Mexican champions Monterrey, again on a free transfer, when her contract ends.
Skinner was criticised a lot last season and he warranted a lot of it due to United’s WSL form. The FA Cup triumph may have saved him his job, but he is now losing some key personnel to his squad. We are all intrigued to see how the women’s team performs next season.
