Manchester United beat PSG 2-1 in the Champions League to continue their 100% record in the competition
Melvine Malard celebrates as Manchester United defeat PSG in the Champions League
Melvine Malard celebrates as Manchester United defeat PSG in the Champions League
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Before a ball was kicked, the narrative for Manchester United's clash with PSG had already been written.
Mary Earps, rightly or wrongly, has dominated the headlines, and everyone was waiting to see how the night unfurled. When she emerged from the tunnel at Old Trafford, she received a rapturous reception from the early birds in the stadium.
It was not a given, but was perhaps to be expected. What was not in the script was the boos that rung out every time she touched the ball in the game.
To their credit, the United fans aimed to drown out the boos with cheers and, by the end, Earps had won them round. But thanks to their performance on the pitch, the Reds changed the narrative.
Instead of talking about Earps, the main takeaway from last night's game was the performances of the players in red. Safia Middleton-Patel who managed to overcome the nerves of replacing Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who suffered a facial injury against Aston Villa, produced a decent display to help win the game.
Her save at the start of the second half was top draw and one which United keepers of all codes would have been proud of. Melvine Malard, before being forced off with cramp, was superb leading the line and left Earps with no chance as she curled the ball beyond the former England No.1.
Jayde Riviere was dynamic at right-back and her last-ditch tackles helped keep PSG at bay as they pushed for an equaliser. Jess Park did superbly well for the winner, linking up play with neat one-twos before Anna Sandberg crossed for Fridolina Rolfo to win the match.
Earps may have dominated the build-up to this fixture, but it will be the United players who will be remembered when we look back at this game at the end of the season. United now sit third in the Champions League table, with women's powerhouses Barcelona and Lyon the only other teams to have 100% starts to the competition.
Marc Skinner was beaming in his post-match press conference and he had every right to be. This United team has really gelled and you now have to wonder just how far they can go in both the Women's Super League and the Champions League.
On the state of that performance, they have every right to think they can go deep into all of the competitions ahead of them.