In Focus: Magnificent Mary key to Red Devils' rise

Manchester United took the Women's Super League title race to the final day with a dramatic 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City last Sunday.

The only downside of the crucial result was that goalkeeper Mary Earps, 30, was unable to keep her 14th clean sheet of a superb individual campaign.

Marc Skinner's team have the best defensive record in the division, having conceded only 12 goals in 21 matches — and their star shot-stopper has been pivotal to the Red Devils' impressive rise this season.

Ahead of her side's trip to Liverpool today, where they will be praying for a Chelsea slip-up away at Reading, we shine the spotlight on England's goalkeeping ace.

Magnificent Mary

Earps' stint in Manchester has been a huge success, helping the club go from a newly-promoted outfit to title challengers in under four years.

The 33-cap international has been the hallmark of consistency since joining from Wolfsburg and she holds the record for the most clean sheets in WSL history with 55.

It explains why Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman opted to make her first-choice at international level in 2021 — faith that was repaid at last summer's European Championships.

Earps played every minute of England's six matches as they won the tournament, conceding just two goals. 

It is no wonder Skinner and United have been so reliant on their marvellous No27 this season.

Simply The Best

A goalkeeper oozing confidence and quality is crucial to any team with high aspirations.

Earps' performances, which previously saw her named the best women's goalkeeper in 2022 by FIFA, have provided the perfect platform for United’s array of attacking stars to thrive — and the defenders to rest easy.

Club team-mate and centre-back Maya Le Tissier said: "I'm so confident when she plays behind me.

"I think if one gets past me, which obviously I try my best not to let that happen, but I’m like: 'Ah Mary’s got it anyway'.

"It's nice to be so confident in the person you have behind you to speak up if anything gets through us, but we try to make Mary's life as easy as possible trying not to let any shots go towards her goal. 

"Mary's such a good part of the team and brings so much experience as well."

Overlooked

United duo Leah Galton and Ona Batlle are up for the Player of the Season award, but Earps is a surprise omission from the final eight nominees.

If it were up to ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, the 2022-23 Golden Glove winner would also be in the running for the most prestigious individual accolade on offer.

She exclusively told LiveScore: "Mary Earps have been unbelievable, 13 clean sheets which is so impressive.

"Marc Skinner rarely changes his backline and so she has been the orchestrator and organiser of everything in front of her.

"She has been absolutely key to United finishing in the European places and pushing for the title."

Earps is likely to end the domestic season without another major honour added to her CV, but she will not let her high standards dip against Liverpool today.

Because while a Chelsea defeat at Reading is improbable, it is certainly not impossible.