Earps shortlisted for BBC award

Our no.27 is continuing to reach new heights, as a contender for both the Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, in which she finished fourth in the running.

The BBC's five-player shortlist includes other high-profile names such as FC Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati - who picked up UEFA’s POTY award - and Fridolina Rolfo, Wolfsburg’s Alexandra Popp and Chelsea’s Sam Kerr. 

Earps picked up two Golden Glove awards at the end of last season, in the Women’s Super League with United - after keeping a record 14 clean sheets - and the World Cup with England. 

Earps and our stalwart defenders played a big part in Marc Skinner’s side making history in 2022/23, as we claimed our highest-ever final league position of second and reached the FA Cup final for the first time. 

Our league placing earned us a first taste of UEFA Women’s Champions League football and although the Reds narrowly missed out on the group stages, Earps was once more at the forefront as we etched another new chapter into the club’s folklore. 

Mary’s rise to prominence for United helped her cement a place in the England set-up, after largely being overlooked until Sarina Wiegman's appointment as head coach.

The Dutchwoman sought out our shot-stopper for the no.1 spot and it paid dividends as the Lionesses won Euro 2022 last year before reaching this year's Women’s World Cup final, in which Earps saved a penalty. 

Though it wasn’t to be for the Lionesses after being beaten by Spain, our no.27 still walked away with the Golden Glove award for her standout efforts in the tournament staged in Australia and New Zealand. 

In the recent 1-1 draw with Leicester City, prior to the Reds' 5-0 thrashing of Everton last weekend, our stalwart between the sticks became the fifth United player to reach centurion status with 100 appearances for the club - yet another example of her continuing to write her name in the history books.  

Congratulations on your nomination, Mary!

You can vote for Earps to win the BBC award here.