Did you know there are six players who have represented both Manchester United Women and Paris Saint-Germain?
The two clubs go head-to-head in the UEFA Women's Champions League at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, and there is still time to buy tickets for the clash.
Ahead of it, we've been looking at the connections between the sides and the players to have lined up for both teams - three of which could be involved in this week's contest.
Keep scrolling for the full list, in our story that features inside the official matchday programme, copies will be on sale at the ground for just £3...
JACKIE GROENEN
United (2019-22) / PSG (2022- )
A United fan growing up, Belgium-born, Netherlands international Jackie Groenen became our first overseas signing after making the switch from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019. While she didn’t find the net across 60 United games (despite striking the post on her debut in the inaugural Manchester derby) her composure in midfield was a big asset to the team, and she had three strong seasons with the Reds prior to a 2022 move to PSG. Jackie’s game-count for our next opponents is rising towards the 100-mark, while she has three goals. Much like in 2023, she’ll enjoy seeing old friends on Wednesday evening.
MARY EARPS
United (2019-2024) / PSG (2024- )
Mary Earps is another who should receive a warm welcome, as she returns to the club where she became an iconic figure, with a local wall-mural even popping up to celebrate the commanding keeper named the world’s best in 2022 and 2023. Mary’s 125 Reds appearances included so many breathtaking saves, with her ultimate reward being a 2024 FA Cup winner’s medal. A first trophy in Paris is yet to arrive for Mary, but PSG look better placed than anyone to end Lyon’s Premiere Ligue dominance.
ESTELLE CASCARINO
PSG (2021-23) / United (2023)
Now with Juventus – who we’ll face in matchweek six – defender Estelle Cascarino was the first player to feature for PSG before joining United. Across her 27 games for Les Rouge-et-Bleu, the high point was a Coupe de France Feminine triumph in 2022, as Estelle’s side walloped Yzeure 8-0 in the final. It would be fair to say that Cascarino’s subsequent loan switch to United, from January-June 2023, wasn’t as successful as she’d have hoped, with her appearing just twice: in our 2-1 win at Sunderland in the FA Cup, before our 5-1 WSL victory against Leicester in Leigh. Much like her twin Delphine, who plays for San Diego Wave, there’s no doubting the quality of the 18-capped France international, however, with Estelle since having overcome an anterior-cruciate ligament injury to regain a starting place with current Serie A Femminile champions Juve.
SIGNE BRUUN
PSG (2018-21) / United (2022)
Signe Bruun’s loan (in her case from Lyon) was another temporary move that didn’t produce too many highlights, although the Danish forward did feature in seven games during 2021/22, with an injury limiting her involvement in Marc Skinner’s side. One of those runouts came here at Old Trafford, when a long-range effort in injury time nearly opened Signe’s goals account in our 3-1 win against Everton. Alas, Bruun wouldn’t find the target while at United, but she’d previously had more success in front of goal for PSG, scoring 14 in 44 between 2018-21. As for her current club Real Madrid, Bruun has close to a goal every other game since her switch to Spain in 2023 – and, as such, is another to watch out for as the current UWCL campaign progresses.
CELIN BIZET DONNUM
PSG (2021-22) / United (2024- )
Versatile attacker Celin Bizet Donnum (then better known as Celin Bizet Ildhusoy) was still only 19 when she made made the leap from Norwegian Toppserien to French Premiere Ligue in July 2021. Her year in Paris saw PSG finish as runners-up in the league and while competition for places limited Celin’s involvement in that 2021/22 term, her versatility and close control often caught the eye when she did feature, with those admiring glances coming from the WSL, among other places. Tottenham secured Celin’s signature after 13 months in France, two years before her switch to United, with Wednesday night offering Celin the possibility of a first reunion with PSG, weeks after the Reds (although not an injured Celin) faced another of her old sides in Valerenga.
AISSATOU TOUNKARA
United (2022-23) / PSG (2023-25)
Paris has always held a special place in Aissatou Tounkara’s heart – the defender was born in the city in 1995, and after breaking through with Juvisy (now Paris FC) and becoming a key performer in the French top flight, Atletico Madrid came calling in 2018, where she’d spend four years – winning the Primera Division Femenina in 2018/19 – before her 2022 move to Manchester. Four of Tounkara’s five Reds appearances came in the 2022/23 League Cup, before her homecoming in August 2023 – an “immensely proud”
transfer to PSG. Fierce competition at the back led to a loan spell to fellow top-flight side Fleury last season, before her PSG exit in the summer.
A reminder that more United v PSG content like this features inside the official matchday programme, on sale at the ground this Wednesday for £3.