Mary Earps reveals key reason for Manchester United exit with PSG deal imminent

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Mary Earps’ departure from Manchester United has been officially confirmed as the England goalkeeper closes in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Lionesses star is set to see her United contract expire in the coming days, with the club unable to convince her to put pen to paper on an extension despite talks and a strong offer being tabled.

Having rejected the chance to remain with the Red Devils, Earps is now expected to complete a high-profile switch to PSG, with the French giants having understood to have been leading the race for her signature since January.

After confirming her imminent exit, United said in a statement on Saturday: "Everyone at Manchester United would like to thank Mary for her fine service and wish her the best of luck in the next stage of her career.”

Taking to social media, Earps, 31, declared her desire for a new challenge and said an upcoming “period of transition” for United did not match with her current career ambitions.

Captain Katie Zelem is also leaving on a free transfer, along with Spain forward Lucia Garcia. England striker Nikita Parris is also out of contract this summer.

"I have decided that it’s time for a new challenge. It’s a decision I’ve gone backwards and forwards on for some time, and is not one I’ve made lightly,” Earps wrote on Instagram.

"The club is about to undergo a period of transition and unfortunately I don’t feel it aligns with the timing of where I’m at in my career."

Arsenal had previously been interested in signing Earps, who made 125 appearances for United across all competitions over a five-year spell after joining from Wolfsburg in 2019, but have since switched their attention to Aston Villa’s Dutch international goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.

Earps was part of the United team that won the FA Cup - their first major trophy as a club - against Tottenham at Wembley in May after also reaching last year’s final, where United lost to Chelsea.

Her club career began at Leicester and has also taken in stints with Nottingham Forest, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Birmingham, Bristol Academy and Reading.

Earps, the current record-holder for clean sheets in the Women’s Super League (WSL), is a key figure for England, having earned 50 senior international caps to date and been a vital part of the side that won the European Championship on home soil in 2022 and then reached the World Cup final in Australia last summer.

She recently received an MBE for her services to football and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2023. Earps has also won the The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award in successive years.

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