da aposte e ganhe: Mary Earps addressed Manchester United fans on Instagram once her departure from the club was confirmed to express her gratitude.
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Earps posts on Instagram after Man Utd exitPays tribute to fans & team-matesExplains her reasons for leavingWHAT HAPPENED?
In a lengthy message, Earps spoke about her gratitude towards United fans for the memories created since she joined in 2019, which culminated with FA Cup glory last month. But, at the age of 31, she admitted that her decision not to sign a new contract was motivated by the expectation that a period of transition will delay the club's future success.
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Earps is out of contract and leaves United as a free agent, with a move to Paris Saint-Germain expected to soon be announced. WSL rivals Arsenal had tried to buy her last summer. The Red Devils recruited American stopper Phallon Tullis-Joyce then, seemingly with an eye on a future without Earps, but have also been linked this month with Bayern Munich's Mala Grohs.
WHAT EARPS SAID
"Dear the United family," Earps began. "After 5 years of service to your great club, I have decided that it's time for a new challenge. It's a decision I've gone backwards and forwards on for some time, and is not one I've made lightly. The club is about to undergo a period of transition, and unfortunately I don’t feel it aligns with the timing of where I'm at in my career, therefore I think now is the right time to make a change and embark on a new challenge. There aren't the right words, or enough words, to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all, but I hope the below comes somewhere close.
"I'm proud to have played every league minute for the badge for the past 5 seasons, and even more proud for us as a team to have broken the record of the most clean sheets kept in a season in 2023. The icing on the cake was winning the FA Cup at Wembley, a trophy I’ve always dreamed of winning, with you all singing at the top of your voices. I could list so many more of my favourite memories, but these in particular I'll cherish.
"I have loved playing in front of you all, near and far but especially at Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford. It doesn't feel real that I won't be playing in front of you all again next season, and I'm sad we're saying goodbye. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for your incredible support over the years; the ups and the downs, I'm grateful for it all.
"To my teammates, there have been some special people to grace our changing room over the past 5 years. I'm fortunate to have stood alongside you all and I’ll be rooting for you.
"Although this United chapter has sadly come to a close, I take with me a heart full of incredible memories. Thank you for welcoming me as one of your own and letting me be a part of your club. I wish you all the very best for the future and I hope I can continue to make you proud in my next chapter."
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Earps, no stranger to living abroad after spending a season with German giants Wolfsburg in 2018/19, will soon be unveiled as a PSG player. She was initially part of this summer's England squad for Euro 2025 qualifiers – of which there are two more coming up in July – but withdrew after suffering a hip injury against France at the start of June.