Mary Earps return drew headlines but Safia Middleton Patel delivered the performance of the night
Manchester United claimed an important victory over Paris Saint Germain in the Womens Champions League, but the evening at Old Trafford became dominated by one theme above all else. From the build up to the final whistle every conversation revolved around two goalkeepers. Mary Earps returned to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving Manchester United, while twenty one year old Safia Middleton Patel produced a fearless display that captured the spotlight.
Earps entered the stadium carrying the weight of recent controversy following the release of her autobiography and the reactions that followed. Her presence alone was enough to spark intense debate among fans, not only for her reputation as one of the best in the world but for the manner of her departure from United in 2024. She started in goal for the visitors while her successor Phallon Tullis Joyce unexpectedly missed the match with a facial injury.
That absence handed Middleton Patel only her second start for Manchester United. It was her European debut and her first appearance at Old Trafford. She faced an enormous challenge with just one previous club outing against Newcastle United in the Womens League Cup. The pressure grew even further as more than fourteen thousand fans filled the stands for Uniteds biggest home crowd of the season.
Embed from Getty Images
The young keeper was tested within two minutes. Jennifer Echeginis fierce strike rattled the inside of her left post, a sharp reminder of the level she had stepped into. PSG have reached four of the last five semi finals in the competition and carry a reputation for punishing even the slightest weakness.
However Middleton Patel settled quickly. She had represented Wales at the Euros in the summer and that experience seemed to strengthen her confidence. Manchester United manager Marc Skinner praised not only her performance but her mental strength, describing the psychological leap she had to make as enormous. He declared her his player of the match and applauded her maturity over the past year.
Her defining moment came early in the second half. With the score level at one one following Olga Carmonas equaliser for PSG, Anais Ebayilin unleashed a powerful strike. Middleton Patel reacted with lightning speed, tipping the ball on to the post and away for a corner. The save came only a minute after half time and was greeted with a roar around Old Trafford. United soon restored their lead through Fridolina Rolfo after Melvine Malards stunning early opener.
Skinner said he believed in the young keeper the moment he learned that Tullis Joyce would miss the match. He encouraged her to trust her own ability and said her calm style helped United play out from the back. Team mate Rachel Williams tried to ease her nerves with playful star jumps before kick off and Middleton Patel responded with a composed and brave performance.
While Middleton Patel shone as the match unfolded, Earps remained the central figure in the story of the evening. Her mural outside Old Trafford still bears the message Welcome to Manchester created after her Euro 2022 heroics. The words carried a sense of irony as she walked into the rain in PSG colours.
Earps received boos when her name was announced and during her early touches. Yet the crowd softened as the match progressed and she later received applause when she walked along the stands at full time. She embraced former team mates and shared words with Skinner who wished her well.
PSG coach Paulo Cesar praised Earps and said her quality shone through despite the atmosphere. Skinner also noted that the fans eventually recognised her contribution to United, saying her intelligence and character remained clear.
By the end of the night the narrative had evolved. Earps return had stirred emotion but Middleton Patel had written the chapters that people will remember. For a young keeper thrust unexpectedly into one of the clubs biggest occasions her performance became a symbol of the belief United are placing in their next generation.