Mary Earps has opened up on her decision to leave Manchester United, admitting the ‘transition’ the club is going through has prompted her departure.
The Lionesses star is set to leave United at the end of her contract in the coming days and is expected to join French side Paris Saint-Germain in a move that will make her the highest paid goalkeeper in women’s football.
While also shining on the international stage with England, Earps has been a pivotal figure at United since joining in 2019, making 125 appearances and holding the clean sheet record in the Women’s Super League with 56 to her name.
In her final season at Old Trafford, she helped the club with the FA Women’s Cup, thrashing Tottenham 4-0 in the final.
Earps’ departure comes after United’s new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe placed the future of the women’s team under scrutiny, suggesting his and INEOS’ immediate focus is solely on the men’s team.
It also comes amid reports claiming the club have decided to move their women’s team into portable buildings at the training ground in order to order to accommodate the men’s side while their facilities are being upgraded.
Announcing her departure on Instagram, Earps alluded to the transition underway at United, admitting it does not ‘align with the timing of where I’m at in my career’.
‘Dear the United family. After five years of service to your great club, I have decided that it’s time for a new challenge,’ Earps wrote.
‘It’s a decision I’ve gone backwards and forwards on for some time, and is not one I’ve made lightly.
‘The club is about to undergo a period of transition, and unfortunately I don’t feel it aligns with the timing of where I’m at in my career, therefore I think now is the right time to make a change and embark on a new challenge.
‘There aren’t the right words, or enough words, to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all.’
United have also lost Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle on free transfers this summer with Lucia Garcia and club captain Katir Zelem also departing.
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