Mary Earps with her award

Earps: I’m really grateful for the award

Thursday 02 March 2023 15:00

It has been quite the week for Manchester United Women goalkeeper Mary Earps.

Our shot-stopper helped us to register a rampant 5-0 victory in the FA Cup on Sunday, before jetting off to Paris for the FIFA The Best awards on Monday. 

And to top things off, our no.27 came back to Manchester having been officially crowned the world’s best goalkeeper in women’s football.

“It’s a really nice feeling,” she told club media. “It’s been an incredible couple of days, I’m really grateful, and happy to be back with the girls now.”
United welcomed back award winner Earps with pride.

Earps, who won United Women’s inaugural Player of the Month award for January, inspired the footballing world with her heartfelt speech upon accepting her award.

“A lot of people have said to me that they really enjoyed the speech,” she told us.

“To be honest, I was surprised that I got any words out at all! I was really nervous, my voice was shaking.

“I think I just went into interview mode and started talking about something I’d been talking about in an interview recently. 

“I hope it resonated with people. I meant every word and it is something I really believe in and stand by.”
Earps and Casemiro smile in front of the Old Trafford faithful after their respective wins.
So, where do you display an award of such prestige? Mary reckons she’s going to have to give her prize its own designated shelf. 

“It’s very heavy! I was hoping to put it on the bookcase, but I think I’m going to have to get a reinforced shelf… it’s very, very heavy! 

“But I am going to put it up, pride of place, I’m very proud of it.”

How Earps inspired football with her speech

 Article

"This is for anyone who has ever been in a dark place," said Mary, prompting a massive reaction across social media.

Earps will be back in action with the Reds this weekend when we host Leicester City, and she’s “looking forward to another big game and continuing with our league campaign.”

TICKETS FOR TWO HOME GAMES

If you'd like to support United Women in person and see the world's best goalkeeper in action, you can now buy tickets for these two huge WSL fixtures:

  • Leicester City, Leigh Sports Village, Sunday 5 March (12:30 GMT)
  • West Ham United, Old Trafford, Saturday 25 March (17:30 GMT)

    Be sure to visit manutd.com/tickets and select the women’s team from the menu to book your seats now.
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