Mary Earps says she is in contract talks with Manchester United after feeling she has been a “punching bag” this season.
The England goalkeeper has been at United for the past five years but her current contract expires this summer.
Manchester United rejected a world-record bid for a women’s football goalkeeper when Arsenal signed Earps last year, while Paris Saint-Germain were also interested in signing the 31-year-old during the January transfer window.
Earps helped United win the Women’s FA Cup this season, despite the club’s disappointing performance in the Women’s Super League, finishing fifth, and the goalkeeper now hopes to get an ambitious start from the club before deciding on his future guarantee.
“The honest reality is that the conversation continues,” Earps told sky sports news. “I’ve made it clear that I don’t want to make emotional decisions.
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Mary Earps says winning the FA Cup makes a difficult season worth it.
“The start of the season was really difficult and I was really frustrated with what was being said about me and the things that weren’t true.
“I try to be professional, keep my head down, work hard and get on with my job, which is difficult. Sometimes I’m a punching bag.
“I try to take responsibility for the team, the performance of the team and our shortcomings this season. That’s what you should do as a leader and as a more experienced player you have to step up in those moments. “
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Highlights from the Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and Chelsea.
“I know I’ve been giving it my all this whole season. It’s a tough situation.
“I’ve asked the club to confirm what they want to achieve and when I get those answers I will be able to make a decision. It’s up to the club.”
Skinner: I hope Earps stays
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Mark Skinner discusses his desire to keep Mary Earps at Manchester United despite her contract expiring, while Izzy Christiansen explains why she is such an important asset to the team.
United are hoping to avoid a similar situation to last year, when star players Alessia Russo and Ona Butler left on free transfers after lengthy contract negotiations with the club.
Manchester United boss Mark Skinner reiterated his desire for Earps to stay at the club following the 6-0 defeat to Chelsea on the final day of the WSL season.
“I would love to work with Mary. The conversation is still ongoing. All I can do is improve my relationship with Mary and what we do on the court,” Skinner told sky sports.
“I want her to stay but there are moments that need to happen outside of club representation. It’s important that we don’t let the players get caught up in that. This moment is not about Mary, it’s about the representation meeting.
“I really enjoyed working with Mary and hope I can continue to do so.”
In December, Earps won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for a string of impressive performances in the Women’s World Cup final, including a goalkeeper save from Jeanne Elle in the women’s 1-0 loss to Spain. Mosso’s penalty.
Earps’ popularity was demonstrated when Nike initially refused to sell a replica of her England goalkeeper jersey, but it sold out within five minutes after the sports manufacturer made a U-turn.
Christiansen: Earps can play at a higher level
sky sports’ Izzy Christiansen says:
“She has been outstanding in two fantastic major tournaments with England and it has really taken her career to the next level.
“For Manchester United, if there’s one player in their squad who can go on to play at the next level, it’s Mary Earps.”
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