While Middleton-Patel stole the show at the end of the night, it was the Earps who took center stage before kickoff.
The Earps mural, painted outside Old Trafford after her heroics for England at Euro 2022, carried a “Welcome to Manchester” message that seemed riddled with irony as she stepped out in the pouring northern rain in the opposition’s colours.
She was a hero to many during her time at United and played a key role in the club’s first FA Cup victory and their rise up the Women’s Super League table.
This time she was an enemy of football, arriving amid a cloud of controversy and receiving boos when the stadium announcer read her name.
More boos followed when she touched the ball, mixed with some cheers from her loyal fans, until she finally received the adulation of the Old Trafford crowd when she walked up the stands applauding at full time, and was warmly received in return.
“A lot of fans have a great interest in seeing Mary play. I am very happy to have a player like her on our team,” PSG coach Paulo César said afterwards.
“The fans here clearly supported her. At first maybe not, but at the end of the game her quality became evident.
“She put in a great performance today and gives the team confidence. I’m very happy with her.”
Skinner said in his pre-match press conference that he expected United fans to make life difficult for the Earps as an opponent, but hoped she would receive the respect she earned during her five years at the club before leaving in 2024.
As he left the field to applause from home fans and hugs from his former teammates, the controversy of the past two weeks surrounding his book felt like a distant memory.
“It was nice. At the end I told her to take care of herself. Mary is a really smart woman and she’s been the best in the world, so she understands,” Skinner said.
“It was a lovely atmosphere and she got a cheer when she came down at the end of the game, and I hope that helps her with the situation and how she feels.
“After the game I was always going to be friendly with Mary, because she was a big part of what we’ve done, and we should never forget that.”
