Manchester United’s win over Paris St-Germain was overshadowed in conversation by the goalkeepers — not least Mary Earps’ highly publicised return to Old Trafford amid the fallout from her autobiography. Earps started in goal for PSG, while United’s usual keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was a surprise omission from Marc Skinner’s squad with a facial injury.
That absence handed 21-year-old Safia Middleton-Patel just her second United start — her first in Europe and debut at Old Trafford — after news of Tullis-Joyce’s withdrawal reached the squad on matchday. Thrust into one of the club’s biggest fixtures, she faced a PSG side with deep Champions League pedigree in front of 14,667 fans, the club’s biggest crowd of the season.
Two minutes in Middleton-Patel was tested when Jennifer Echegini’s powerful strike rebounded off the inside of her left post. Despite the early scare — and the step up from her only other United appearance in a League Cup tie against second-tier Newcastle — she steadied herself. Her recent Euro experience with Wales helped settle her for the occasion.
Skinner praised her composure and growth: “She was my player of the match. What you can’t measure is the psychological magnitude she has had to jump. From that performance [against Newcastle] to this, how she has matured over the last year, is credit to her and the staff.” He added that the goalkeeper had taken everything in her stride and deserved to be part of the club’s history in their first Champions League game at Old Trafford.
Middleton-Patel delivered a standout second-half moment when she produced a superb save to divert Anais Ebayilin’s shot onto the post and out for a corner, a minute after Olga Carmona had levelled to make it 1-1. United later regained the lead through Fridolina Rolfo, adding to Melvine Malard’s earlier opener.
Skinner described his message to the squad when Tullis-Joyce was ruled out: “I said I believed in her. I wanted Safia to be herself. She is a good footballer so she calms the build-up. She took it in her stride. I’m honestly really proud of her.” He even recalled team-mates helping her shake off nerves, with Rachel Williams doing “star jumps” to get her energised.
Meanwhile, Earps’ return drew intense interest. A mural of Earps outside Old Trafford with a “Welcome to Manchester” message felt ironic as she strode out in the opposition colours in driving rain. Once a heroine at United for her role in the club’s FA Cup success and WSL progress, Earps walked into a mixed reception: boos when her name was announced, more boos and some cheers during the match, and then applause and hugs from former team-mates as she left the pitch.
PSG boss Paulo Cesar hailed her performance: “A lot of the public has great interest in seeing Mary play. The fans here were clearly behind her. At the beginning, perhaps not, but by the end of the game her quality shone through. She put in a great performance today and she gives confidence to the team. I’m very happy with her.” Skinner added that the post-match moments were friendly and that Earps, “a really intelligent woman,” would understand the situation.
By full-time, attention had shifted from pre-match controversy to on-field displays: Middleton-Patel’s composed debut at Old Trafford and Earps’ polished showing for the visitors. Both performances will be talked about long after the result.
For more discussion and analysis, Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie return to the Women’s Football Weekly podcast every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, with extra interviews and content covering the WSL and beyond.
