Mary Earps appears to take swipe at Sir Jim Ratcliffe's project in Man Utd exit statement
Mary Earps has confirmed her exit from Manchester United and admitted that a "club in transition" wasn't right for her as she remains at the peak of her powers.
The goalkeeper's future has been a subject of discussion for months as her contract winded down. Earps, who is a Euros winner with the Lionesses and helped them reach the last World Cup final, turned down a new deal and is set to join PSG and become the highest paid shotstopper in the women's game.
Ratcliffe, whose focus has been on the men's issues, confessed that "we haven't really got into that level of detail with the women's football team yet". Earps decided to leave after failing to be convinced by the club's long-term plans, according to the Daily Mail, after they just finished in fifth place - their worst-ever WSL finish.
She wrote on social media: "Dear the United family, after five years of service to your great club, 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.
"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, therefore I think now is the right time to make a change and embark on a new challenge."
In the past week it has emerged that the women's team will be moved out of their new £10million facility to accommodate the men while work is completed at Carrington during the 2024-2025 campaign. Another one of the club's leading lights Nikita Parris is considering a move away with her deal up next week.
Earps also said when she decided to pursue pastures new: "I'm proud to have played every league minute for the badge for the past five seasons, and even more proud for us as a team to have broken the record of the most clean sheets kept in a season in 2023.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confessed the plans for the club's women's team are
"The icing on the cake was winning the FA Cup at Wembley, a trophy I've always dreamed of winning, with you all singing at the top of your voices. I could list so many more favourite memories, but these in particular I'll cherish.
"I have loved playing in front of you all, near and far but especially at Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford. It doesn't feel real that I won't be playing in front of you all again next season, and I'm sad we're saying goodbye."
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