Mary Earps found herself at the center of both triumph and derision during Manchester United’s match against Chelsea. Despite the Reds’ FA Cup triumph just a week prior, their defeat at the hands of Chelsea, with a scoreline of 6-0, highlighted their shortcomings. Earps, standing solitary in her 18-yard box, became the target of Chelsea fans’ taunts, juxtaposed with her teammates parading the FA Cup trophy.

While Earps had previously clinched the Golden Glove at the Women’s World Cup, her position as England’s No.1 has come under scrutiny lately, with Hannah Hampton receiving nods from England boss Sarina Wiegman. This defeat echoed United’s collective malaise throughout the season, finishing fifth in the Women’s Super League, a far cry from their near-miss title challenge the previous year.

The uncertainty surrounding Earps’ future at United is palpable, with her contract set to expire soon. Despite intense transfer speculation, including interest from Arsenal, Earps remains focused on her next steps, awaiting clarity from the club on their plans. Her comments underscore the need for the club to provide a clear direction and vision for success, as highlighted by the departures of key personnel and a lack of decisive action in contract negotiations.

The backdrop of takeover uncertainty, combined with changes in key positions within the club’s hierarchy, further adds to the sense of flux surrounding Manchester United’s women’s team. The recent stake acquisition by Sir Jim Ratcliffe brings hopes of a new era, yet the apparent disparity in attention between men’s and women’s teams raises questions about the club’s priorities.

As United navigates these challenges, securing Earps’ future could serve as a crucial step in demonstrating a commitment to stability and success. With the club already in negotiations to extend Marc Skinner’s contract, there’s a sense of urgency to address these issues and chart a clear path forward for the women’s team under new ownership.