Mary Earps: ‘I know it means a lot to the fans’
United Women goalkeeper Mary Earps is hoping to come away with three points from Sunday’s Women’s Super League derby at Manchester City.
Earps, who recently earned her 15th England cap, anticipates a competitive fixture between the two sides, with United and City both chasing a Champions League place.
The Reds currently occupy third, three positions and five points ahead of City in sixth, so a victory could prove vital come the end of the season.
“It is clear that there is a lot of rivalry there,” Earps said.
“I know it means a lot to the fans and for me I just want to wear the badge and make them proud as much as possible.”
Earps: There's always extra spice
United shot-stopper Mary Earps looks ahead to Sunday's visit to Manchester City...
The 28-year-old shot-stopper produced a fine display in United’s 1-1 away draw at league leaders Arsenal last weekend.
Reacting to the stalemate, she felt the Reds were perhaps unfortunate given how we took control of the game.
“I think it is a good point for us on the road against very tough opposition, but I think it is hard to take in the context of the game.
“I think we played really well; we inflicted ourselves on the game and on our opposition, probably for the first time since I’ve joined the club.
“But football can be cruel, and a point was probably fair in terms of what they created as well.
Looking ahead to Sunday and another meeting with our crosstown rivals - who we also face in the Vitality Women's FA Cup at the end of the month - Earps revealed how Marc Skinner will prepare his squad.
She said: “We are very focused on our ambitions and objectives this season and it is another game that we have to go and put a performance in.
“Regardless of opposition [our preparation] doesn’t really change.
“Man City are a great opposition. We will go there with a real energy about is to put in a great performance and hopefully take those three points.”
Earps maintains that while Sunday is important for the Reds in the content of a top-three place, she isn't allowing herself to look too far ahead.
“I don’t really spend too much time looking at the table at this point,” she said. “We just have to focus on what we can control which is our performance.
“First and foremost, we want to go [to Manchester City] and get the win. That’s the most important thing.”