Manchester United’s Earps latest to leave WSL club

Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has become the latest high-profile player to leave the Women’s Super League club following the expiry of her contract, it was announced Saturday.

The England international’s exit comes just two days after United said club captain Katie Zelem was also departing the club now she too was a free agent.

Earps, 31, has been widely linked with a move to French side Paris Saint-Germain.

The Euro 2022 winner joined United in 2019 and made 125 appearances for the club.

During the 2022/23 WSL season, Earps kept 14 clean sheets to set a new league record, and a few months later finished fifth in the voting for the women’s Ballon d’Or — the highest placing achieved by a goalkeeper.

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Last season, Earps was between the posts as United beat Tottenham 4-0 at Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup Final, to secure the club’s first major trophy in the women’s game.

“Everyone at Manchester United would like to thank Mary for her fine service and wish her the best of luck in the next stage of her career,” said a club statement.

Zelem, a midfielder, joined United in 2018 and was a member of their inaugural professional side that won the FA Women’s Championship title in the 2018/19 season, securing promotion to the WSL.

The former Liverpool and Juventus player, appointed captain in her second United campaign, made 161 appearances, scoring 32 goals.

Zelem and Earps’s exits from came after United confirmed striker Lucia Garcia will also be leaving the club.

The departures come during a period of uncertainty for the women’s team following the takeover of football operations at Manchester United by minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, who said the focus had so far been on the men’s side.