If United could get the job done down south, they would go up to second place in the table.

After a ten minute delay to kick off due to the ambulance, required for health and safety, being stuck in traffic, a minutes silence was held as the last post echoed round the ground. Then United got things under way.

Former United keeper Sophie Baggaley was forced into an early save, tipping Malard’s shot over the bar.

United gave away a free kick in a dangerous area. It was soft but still managed to get Le Tissier into the book. It was dealt with well by United as Earps rose to collect.

Pressure mounted on United’s defence as Riviere put a good block in to deny Brighton the opener. A corner followed, it was cleared but it came in again and a strong header was needed from Turner to keep it out.

Following another Brighton corner, Earps got down well to stop a shot nestling into the bottom corner.

United had good spells going forward but it was the Seagulls that made breakthrough, Terland with a tap in from six yards out.

The United fans at the opposite end thought Geyse had found an equaliser and her first competitive goal for the club but it bounced out off the inside of the post.

United were growing into this game, a good cross in presented a chance for the Reds’ top scorer last season, Leah Galton, but she headed over the bar.

The second half began and there was early pressure from United but there was no one there when Toone crossed it in.

Geyse took a shot from the edge of the area, she turned well and had loads of time but her shot was weak and easily saved by Baggaley.

It was starting to look like Geyse was never going to score!

After letting Terland get the wrong side of her, Riviere brought her down giving away a free kick. Luckily Brighton couldn’t capitalise on it.

The home side found the goal again but luckily the offside flag was up.

Geyse had another shot on goal but she hit it as she was falling and booted it out of the ground.

After not having such a good game, Ella Toone silenced her critics and redeemed herself after a brilliant strike from the edge of the area flew past Baggaley and got United back level with 12 minutes of the 90 left to play.

At the other end, Brighton came close but Earps pushed it out for a corner.

A corner for United in the dying moments of the game found the head of Williams who found the outside of the post.

The game was end to end now and Earps made another fabulous save but it was out for a last minute corner for the home side and they found the goal.

With seven minutes of added time to play, was there any hope for United? Losing this would seriously dent their title hopes even this early on in the season.

They were trying and after they won a corner in the 98th minute, the fans believed!

Earps came up and Zelem delivered. Super sub Rachel Williams broke from her marker and slotted it in at the back post. The United fans almost fell off the terrace as they celebrated wildly!

It was a point rescued, it was not convincing and left them sixth in the table but it was better than a loss and United fans would take that on their long drive home.

Team: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Malard (Garcia 75), Zelem, Galton, Riviere, Hinata (Williams 75), Turner, Geyse

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Manchester United’s Mary Earps has been named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.

It comes after Earps helped the Lionesses to European glory last year before playing a crucial role in the Lionesses journey to the World Cup Final this year.

On a personal level, Earps took home the Golden Glove award in the WSL last season as United recorded their highest finish in the league.

She also took home the Golden Glove in the World Cup, playing every minute for England and keeping three clean sheets, conceding just four goals in seven matches.

Most recently, Earps came fifth in the Ballon d’Or which was won by World Cup winner Bonmati.

Ben Taylor, the editor of The Sunday Times said: “Mary Earps’ performances at the 2023 World Cup cemented her spot as one of the game’s greatest goalkeepers.”

He continued: “Her and the rest of the Lionesses showed determination, skill and resilience to reach the finals and will continue to inspire many young girls for years to come.”

Earps was nominated alongside two-time heptathlon world champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, seven-time paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft and cricketer, Tammy Beaumont.

Meanwhile, the Lionesses were voted Team of the Year whilst Cockroft won the Disability Sportswoman of the Year award for the third time.

Olympic cyclist Katie Archibald was awarded the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration and snowboarder, Mia Brookes took the Young Sportswoman honour.

Earps will be back in action at the weekend as United travel to Brighton in the WSL.

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England Lionesses have lost 3-2 to Belgium in the Nations League, all but ending their hopes of qualifying for the Olympics next year.

The Lionesses are now third in their group having lost to the Netherlands and now Belgium.

England dominated the game seeing 73% of possession and having 17 attempts on goal compared to Belgium’s five but the hosts were more clinical.

The game was marred by the serious injury to Alex Greenwood which saw a 13 minute stoppage in play.

England started off brightly, controlling the ball well, but Belgium were sitting deep and the Lionesses had to be patient with their build up play.

Chloe Kelly gave away a free kick in a dangerous area early on, she was bullied off the ball and handled it when on the floor.

De Neve took it and Manchester United’s Mary Earps could not get across in time to keep it from nestling in the top corner.

After the delay following a nasty clash of heads between Greenwood and Blom, Bronze equalised with a looping header from a set piece before the returning Kirby put England ahead as Hemp pulled it back to her in the centre of the box.

Deep into stoppage time in the first half, Wullaert found herself through the middle of two England defenders and had the pace to shake them off, slotting it past Earps.

Earps had little to do in the first half. Except for the two goals they scored, Belgium had few chances.

Though England had dominated possession in the first half, they headed in all square at the break.

In the second half Belgium were much more organised and the game opened up. Wullaert came forward again and it took a superb save from Earps to keep the scores level.

England had chance after chance but they couldn’t find the target, former United star Alessia Russo dithered on a few occassions, afraid to shoot and when she did take a chance she found the side-netting, on more than one occassion.

A goal-line clearance denied the visitors in retaking the lead and though it seemed frantic in the box sometimes from Belgium they managed to clear their lines time after time and England were all out of ideas.

However, a chance for Belgium going forward saw a shot blocked by Stanway’s hand in the penalty area and the home side had an opportunity to take the lead.

Earps went the right way but Wullaert scored again.

For so long, under Sarina Wiegman, England have dominated with journalists and pundits viewing the side with rose tinted glasses but tonight they ran out of ideas of how to break Belgium down and let their guard down when their opponents had an opportunity to break.

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Two Manchester United Women’s players were in contention for the Ballon d’Or, goalkeeper Mary Earps and new signing and golden boot winner, Hinata Miyazawa.

Tonight, in a ceremony hosted in Paris, they learnt their positions in the race for the coveted trophy.

Earps, who helped England lift the European trophy last year and took them to the final of the World Cup, this year came fifth.

She has had a stellar couple of years after fighting her way back into the England side under Sarina Wiegman, lifting the trophy at the Euros and the Women’s Finalissima and saving a penalty in the World Cup final.

Domestically, she helped secure a place in Europe for United after they finished second in the league as Earps picked up the WSL’s Golden Glove award for most clean sheets.

She also is the current holder of the Women’s FIFA Best Goalkeeper Award.

Meanwhile, new signing Hinata Miyazawa, who won the Golden Boot at this year’s Women’s World Cup, came in 12th place.

The winner was Spain and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, who is having a fantastic year after winning the World Cup with her country this summer.

Chelsea and Australian star Sam Kerr came second while Barcelona duo, Salma Paralluelo and Fridolina Rolfo, finished third and fourth respectively.

Earps’ Lionesses teammate Rachel Daly came 10th.

However, England’s Georgia Stanway and Millie Bright, and the Republic of Ireland’s Katie McCabe all missed out on the top 10.

Earps is currently in Belgium with the England Lionesses preparing for their match tomorrow night in the Nations League.

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In action for the England Lionesses, who face Belgium tonight, is shot-stopper Mary Earps, who was instrumental in the Reds 5-0 thrashing of Everton last weekend.

Ella Toone, one of the most popular players amongst England and United fans, has also been called up for England’s crucial matches against Belgium.

Captain Katie Zelem and Maya Le Tissier are also in the squad alongside Grace Clinton, who is currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.

England face Belgium at home tonight before travelling to face them away next Tuesday.

They need a good win tonight as they currently sit in third in their group behind tonight’s opponents and the Netherlands, who beat them last time out.

A place in the Olympics next year is riding on progression out of the group.

Meanwhile, three United women have been called up for Wales, their young goalkeeper, Safia Middleton-Patel, midfield maestro Hayley Ladd and defender Gemma Evans.

Wales are in action against European runners up, Germany, tonight.

They are currently bottom of their group with no points on the board so far.

One of United’s star signings this summer, Geyse, has been called up for Brazil, who take on Canada tomorrow.

She will come up against her United teammate Jayde Riviere, who will play in defence for Canada.

Lucia Garcia will meet up with former teammate Ona Batlle as Spain take on Italy this evening in their Nations League clash.

The World Champions are currently top of their group having played two and won two.

Meanwhile, Norway take on France in group A2 and Lisa Naalsund will be a part of their squad.

They have drawn one and lost one so far with tonight’s opponents leading that group.

Hinata Miyazawa has been called up for training with Japan after a bright start to her season in the WSL.

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The incident happened on Sunday after United’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton in the WSL at Walton Hall Park.

Earps played the full ninety minutes and made some superb saves in the game, helping United secure their first clean sheet of the season.

But the afternoon was marred for the Lionesses shot-stopper as fans took to social media to criticise her.

The fan wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Ella Toone & Nikita Parris for stopping to meet my daughter today. It’s a shame Mary Earps is far too busy and important to stop for her fans these days!!”

Another fan claimed his daughter went home crying after Earps failed to stop for her.

Earps screenshotted the comments and wrote on her Instagram story: “I try to ignore comments like these – but after a great win & spending so much time post-game meeting so many of you lovely lot afterwards, it’s hurtful to get home and get tagged in comments like these. Be kind. Happy Sunday. Love Mary x”

Earps is well-known among regulars at Leigh Sports Village for being one of the players who engage the most with fans.

A number of supporters leapt to her defence, sharing snaps of themselves with the goalkeeper.

Earps is in demand these days, she now has over 1 million followers on TikTok and 700k on Instagram.

Since England won the Euros last summer, attendance has more than doubled in the domestic league, with more and more fans itching to get close to their idols.

Meanwhile, Earps’ consistency on the pitch has earned her another nomination as it was announced today she is nominated for BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Voting is now open on the BBC Sport website and the Winner will be announced on November 28th.

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Skinner had made several changes to the lineup that started mid-week against PSG, including super sub, Melvine Malard getting her first start of the season.

The first chance fell to United as Nikita Parris played a perfectly weighted pass to Garcia who was through on goal but the keeper made herself big to deny the Spaniard an early opener.

Moments later though Leicester launched an attack and as Gabby George committed to a challenge, there were shouts of pain from the young defender as she went down clutching her knee.

A lengthy stoppage in play saw the stretcher brought on but luckily George got to her feet and limped off as the United faithful chanted her name.

United looked a bit shaken by the injury and Leicester grew in confidence. They won a corner as Riviere blocked a cross. The delivery was good but Earps was there to punch it away from danger.

Going forward, Miyazawa and Malard were linking up well. Unfortunately for the Reds, the Leicester keeper was having a good game, making a few good saves to deny the hosts.

Patient play from United led to Riviere playing a lovely long ball to unleash Garcia on the right. The ball eventually fell to Zelem on the edge of the area whose powerful strike looked to be heading for the top corner but again the Foxes keeper dived to her left, pushing it wide for a corner.

Leicester seemed to take a tactical injury break so the team could have discussions with their manager as one player got back to her feet, the keeper sat down and the physio jogged to the other end of the pitch. The Foxes stayed in a huddle as the medic left the pitch with United standing around waiting to restart.

As Leicester came forward down the right, Earps came out of her area to beat the Foxes striker to the ball and clear it for a throw-in.

The North stand erupted as Miyazawa’s strike hit the bottom of the crossbar and, to the supporters at the opposite end of the ground, looked to bounce in but it was no goal. The World Cup Golden Boot winner would have to wait a little bit longer to open her account.

United kept pushing but their keeper was there time and time again.

The score was all square at halftime. A big second half was needed from Skinner’s side.

A free kick for United was given as Parris was brought down. Le Tissier was over it and her delivery was good but Ladd could only head it back towards the penalty spot for it to be cleared by Leicester.

United got another shot as Parris was fouled again in that same spot. This time Zelem took it but there was too much on it and it went out for a goal kick.

Mary Earps was celebrating her 100th appearance for United and was looking to mark the occasion with her first clean sheet of the season. However, it wasn’t to be as Leicester opened the scoring in the 60th minute following a free kick.

United needed to regroup quickly.

Five minutes later the Reds responded through a corner. Zelem hadn’t had the best of days with her deliveries but this one was perfect and Le Tissier guided it into the far bottom corner with her head.

A series of corners for the Foxes threatened the United goal. Earps made a good save, tipping the ball over the bar for another corner.

With Williams on, United had some hope going forward and they began to push for a winner but as the ball came in and Parris attacked it, the keeper came to punch it away and collided with Parris and Leicester’s Green.

Time was running out for the Reds and this was a game they really needed to be winning.

With ten minutes added time, was there hope for United? No.

Williams who had provided United with so many injury-time goals in the past, attacked a Zelem cross but it went over the bar.

United fans were left feeling let down by a lacklustre performance that had lost them points in a league so often decided by fine margins.

Team: Earps, George (Riviere 9) (Evans 75), Le Tissier, Blundell, Malard (Toone 55), Zelem, Ladd (Williams 55), Garcia (Galton 55), Miyazawa, Turner, Parris

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Mary Earp’s England goalkeeper shirt has sold out despite a lack of promotion from Nike.

On Tuesday, Earps was in action in Manchester United’s first ever Champions League game as they took on PSG at home.

At half time, there was no score but United hadn’t had a shot, it was all one way traffic from PSG and who had denied them access? Mary Earps.

Seeing all those young fans wearing her replica shirt on Tuesday hammered home the staggering, misguided decision from Nike not to make her England goalkeeper’s shirt available to the fans during the World Cup.

Earps was angered by the decision as her teammates discussed their family members purchasing their shirts and decided to act.

She even offered to fund the production of the shirt but Nike still said it wasn’t possible.

Eventually, after England lost the final to Spain and Earps picked up the Golden Glove award, Nike issued a statement saying it was “working towards solutions for future tournaments”.

Earps responded on her Instagram account on August 23 by writing: “Is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent?”

On August 24, Nike said they acknowledged the “unprecedented passion and interest in women’s football this year” and accepted that, during the tournament, they “didn’t serve those fans who wished to show their passion and support to the squad’s goalkeepers”.

They promised that “limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys for England, the U.S., France and the Netherlands” would be “sold through the federation websites over the coming days”.

However, there was no announcement when they went on sale, no big fanfare, they just appeared on the FA website on Monday, retailing at £99.95. In contrast, the England men’s black home goalkeeper shirt retails at £38 on Sports Direct’s website.

And then they disappeared again as they all sold out.

Earps thanked fans for their “incredible support”, though commented she “didn’t realise these were going on sale.”

In an alternate universe, Nike would have coordinated the release with Earps, made them more readily available and affordable for the fans who have waited so patiently.

Instead, the way the company has gone about rectifying their initial oversight seems like a whole new insult to the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award recipient.

Meanwhile, Nike are yet to put the U.S., France or Netherlands women’s goalkeeper shirts on sale.

Nike say more shirts are coming and Earps herself has clarified the situation saying: “More are coming before the end of the year and in more sizes (adults and children).”

As The Athletic summarised, “When the world’s best female goalkeeper asks for her shirt to be sold and for it to be done properly… Just Do It.”

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United legend David de Gea was spotted in attendance for the historic tie and United were hopeful of starting off their campaign with a win.

The loyal United fans were in full voice trying to help their team over the line.

Meanwhile, PSG apparently brought no travelling fans but other reports on social media say some were removed.

United kicked off but PSG pounced as soon as they won possession with Tabitha Chawinga making a good run and cutting inside the box but Millie Turner blocked the cross.

The French side were physical and United looked nervous. A chance saw striker, Lieke Martens one on one with Mary Earps but the United shot-stopper made the save.

Ten minutes in and Earps was once again called into action, sticking a strong foot out to deny the visitors.

PSG were forced into an early change with Jean-Francois getting into a tangle with Lucía Garcia and requiring a stretcher.

Despite the stoppage in play, the visitors did not lose momentum and they came again, this time down the right but again, the Lionesses keeper was there with a superb save to push it away from danger.

With United seemingly seeing out this relentless first twenty, they had their first opportunity of the game as Garcia ran onto a short back pass but was clattered by the keeper in the penalty area but the referee waved away the Reds’ appeals.

Hannah Blundell had a hard task marking Chawinga who seemed to be stronger and faster than anyone else on the pitch.

Jayde Riviere was straying out of position and never quite looked sure where she was supposed to be but posed a threat on the odd occasion United managed to launch a counter-attack.

The game was becoming slightly more open towards the end of the first half, with Leah Galton, Garcia and Ella Toone working hard to make something happen but they were crowded out.

Riviere made way for Geyse at the start of the second half and made an immediate impact.

She had United’s first shot within two minutes of coming on but she couldn’t quite keep it down.

A lovely bit of link up play between Geyse and Galton almost paid off but the resulting shot was blocked.

At the other end, despite United’s positive start to the game, PSG broke the deadlock as Chawinga tucked it into the bottom corner.

The fans in the East stand thought they had equalised, Galton had made a brilliant run and squeezed through the PSG’s defence but somehow her shot was wide.

With the addition of Hinata Miyazawa and Melvine Malard, United looked a different team to what we’d seen in the first half.

A flurry of corners and United found their equaliser through Malard who bundled it over the line as PSG failed to clear their lines.

This was a game on a knife edge, you felt there were more goals to come and that it could go either way.

Another United corner delivered well by Zelem and Turner got a powerful head on it but it was well blocked, the follow up by Toone was just a little too high and wide.

Geyse was having a fantastic game, it was like her feet were magic. She always managed to control the ball, dance through defenders and it was breathtaking to watch.

With three minutes injury time to play, United got a free kick, the initial delivery was dealt well by PSG but Gabby George delivered a cross which Geyse headed just wide.

It ended all square at Leigh Sports Village, onto Paris for the second leg.

Team: Earps, George, Turner, Blundell, Le Tissier, Riviere (Geyse 45), Zelem, Naalsund (Miyazawa), Toone, Garcia (Malard), Galton

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Manchester United Women kick off their 23/24 WSL campaign tomorrow where they will face Aston Villa away at 12.30.

It will be an interesting match up with both teams investing well in this Summer’s transfer window.

Last year, United finished second in the table behind Champions Chelsea whilst Villa finished in fifth.

It was a close contest in their last meeting though as the game ended 3-2 to United with Millie Turner clinching the winner in the dying moments of the game.

It will be the fans’ first chance to see new signings Geyse and Hinata Miyazawa in action, who are predicted to be an integral part of Marc Skinner’s set-up this season.

Geyse impressed in pre-season scoring two fantastic goals and linking up well with joint top goalscorer from last season, Leah Galton, going forward.

Meanwhile, Villa also have some fire power going forward with last year’s Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly in attack and former Red, Kirsty Hanson.

Speaking ahead of the clash, winger Leah Galton singled those two players out, saying: “Kirky’s [Kirsty Hanson] there now, she’s gone back to Villa and she’s a threat, she’s a great player.”

She continued: “You’ve got Rach [Rachel Daly] who scored a lot of goals for them last year, so we’re going to have to be smart with who we look at and how we play against them, but it will be a very good test for us.”

Their new goalkeeper, Van Domselaar, also impressed on international duty mid-week as she made a number of brilliant saves to help the Netherlands to victory over England.

Meanwhile, it’ll be interesting to see Skinner’s team selection as mid-week he criticised the scheduling of the international fixtures coinciding with the start of the season and claimed the opening game could end like ‘walking football’.

In his pre-match press conference, Skinner gave insight into his preparation time with his players ahead of this game: “I’ll give you a glimpse to our side of it, I will have had most of my squad, not all of them, most of them for five days of training.”

He continued: “That is all I’ve had. It is what it is. I will have had zero days with all of my squad.”

“From my perspective, it’s not ideal but it’s also part and parcel of what is going to be a growing game so we’ll go through teething problems before they exist as a natural occurrence in years to come.”

New signing, Emma Watson, picked up an ACL injury on international duty ruling her out for this game and the rest of the season.

“I think governing bodies need to look at when players rest and how they rest and when they re-coup because we all know that, even mental fatigue can cause injuries so I think we need to be careful of that,” Skinner said.

Mary Earps has had a busy Summer with England plus the speculation surrounding her future may mean that her mentality heading into the new season is not where it was at the end of last season.

With Tullis-Joyce coming in to the side, however, Skinner does have a strong plan B up his sleeve.

In his pre-match press conference Skinner insisted that there will be opportunities for all of his squad this season as they look to compete in the WSL, FA Cup, Conti Cup and, for the first time, the Champions League.

“If we can then continue in the latter stages of Cup competitions and the Champions League, then absolutely everyone will be used and have their opportunity to play.”

Despite Skinner’s comments over his lack of preparation for this opening game, historically, United have had some fantastic results against Villa and they will surely feel confident heading into this clash.

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