Earps named United Women's Player of the Month
Mary Earps has won Manchester United Women’s inaugural Player of the Month award.
In the fan-voted prize for January 2023, the shot-stopper was up against Ona Batlle, Hayley Ladd and Rachel Williams after the quartet stood out in a hugely positive start to the year for Marc Skinner's Reds.
Earps prevailed after earning 34 per cent of the vote, ahead of her trio of outfield team-mates.
While the 6-0 scoreline in the game against our Merseyside rivals may suggest otherwise, Liverpool did have their spells of sustained pressure, but with the help of our backline, Earps and co avoided conceding.
And our no.27 more than played her part in that, performing excellently on multiple occasions to keep the hosts at bay. The pick of the saves came in the lead up to the final 10 minutes when Justine Vanhaevermaet’s glancing header from a free-kick forced Earps into a fine save at full stretch to deny an almost certain goal.
Another solid display at the back meant we have now picked up a staggering eight clean sheets in 11 Women’s Super League games this season. For Earps, it marked her 50th in the competition – making her the division's all-time leader and the first keeper in WSL history to reach that milestone.
Earps was in action once again at the end of the month, as we faced Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup. While we were unable to keep a clean sheet in a tough outing, our stalwart at the back was on hand to help guide us into the last 16 of the competition where we will face Durham.
Reading match-winner Williams finished second in the voting with 27 per cent, following her two goals and an assist in January. Ladd (20 per cent) and Batlle (19 per cent) also received a fair amount of the backing in a close debate.
Congratulations on the award, Mary, and thank you to everyone who voted.
DON'T MISS THESE TWEETS
Mary Earps 🔥
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) January 25, 2023
That's it. That's the Tweet. pic.twitter.com/rgFQxGcJwI
"I could never have predicted this." 🗣
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) January 27, 2023
✅ First goalkeeper to keep 50 clean sheets in the #WSL,
✅ European champion with the #Lionesses,
✅ Nominated for FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper 2022.
Mary Earps reflects on her journey after an incredible year 👇#BBCFootball #MUWomen
5️⃣0️⃣ #WSL clean sheets ⛔️
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) January 23, 2023
Our team couldn't be prouder 🫶 pic.twitter.com/hsuqZRs3TM
Class is permanent. #MUWomen || #WSL pic.twitter.com/S1wBUwxJ3T
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) January 22, 2023