UEFA Ladies’s Champions League
Manchester United 2 – 1 Paris Saint-Germain FT
Manchester United have received all three of their matches in Europe this season [Getty Images]
Manchester United continued their profitable run within the Ladies’s Champions League, beating Paris St-Germain on Mary Earps’ return to Outdated Trafford.
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Former England goalkeeper Earps, who left United in 2024, dominated headlines within the build-up following the fallout to her autobiography, however she may do little or no to stop United’s two targets – which capped off a promising show.
Melvine Malard opened the scoring when she shrugged off Griedge Mbock Bathy and fired the ball previous Earps after half an hour.
Spain worldwide Olga Carmona responded on the stroke of half-time, looping a surprising long-range strike over 21-year-old goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, who began for United within the absence of injured primary Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Final yr’s semi-finalists PSG, who’re but to win a league part match within the competitors this season, hit the woodwork twice and proved powerful opponents.
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Nevertheless, United restored their lead when Fridolina Rolfo – a two-time Champions League winner with former membership Barcelona – headed in Anna Sandberg’s cross early within the second half.
It’s the newest in a string of spectacular outcomes this season for Marc Skinner’s facet, who’re in a powerful place to chase an automated qualification spot for the quarter-finals, capping off a historic night time in entrance of 14,667 followers at Outdated Trafford.
Manchester United evaluation: Reds show they belong
Eyebrows had been raised earlier than a ball had been kicked as midfield star Ella Toone was overlooked of the beginning XI, alongside striker Elisabeth Terland.
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With goalkeeper Tullis-Joyce absent and Middleton-Patel making simply her second senior look for United – her first at Outdated Trafford and within the Champions League – there have been anxious followers.
And Wales worldwide Middleton-Patel was instantly given a style of the elite degree when Jennifer Echegini’s highly effective effort bounced again off the within of the correct publish inside two minutes.
United left-back Sandberg had her fingers full, with Nigerian worldwide Rasheedat Ajibade sprinting relentlessly down the wing, and PSG dominated possession.
However in Malard, United all the time had an outlet.
She was quiet till the chance arose for her to go one-on-one with French compatriot Mbock Bathy and she or he didn’t disappoint, studying the flight of the ball from Jayde Riviere successfully, utilizing her physique to carry off the PSG centre-back and firing completely previous Earps into the far nook.
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Earps slid to her knees in disappointment, although she may do little or no to cease Malard’s exact end, and United had been up and working.
PSG later confirmed their particular person high quality when Carmona took benefit of the area afforded to her to shoot from distance, looping the ball expertly over Middleton-Patel, who, like Earps, was helpless.
However the near-15,000 in Outdated Trafford discovered their voice within the second half as Jess Park’s dazzling toes helped create Rolfo’s aim to make it 2-1, earlier than Earps dived properly to her left to dam Malard’s harmful effort on the close to publish shortly after.
Regardless of PSG’s makes an attempt to seek out an equaliser, it was United who appeared extra assured, proving they belong amongst Europe’s elite and going toe-to-toe with the French giants – who’ve reached the semi-finals in 4 of the previous 5 seasons.
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England worldwide Park was at her glowing greatest, Gabby George crammed in at centre-back fantastically and Malard introduced the required magic as United ensured Earps’ return was not a celebratory one.
It would sound alarm bells for PSG, who’ve misplaced all three league part matches this season, growing strain on head coach Paulo Cesar.
What’s subsequent for each groups?
Manchester United return to WSL motion on Saturday once they tackle rivals Manchester Metropolis at Etihad Stadium at 13:30 GMT. Their subsequent European recreation is on Wednesday, 19 November once they journey to Wolfsburg (17:45 GMT).
Paris St-Germain will not be taking part in this weekend so their subsequent recreation is within the Champions League on Thursday, 20 November in opposition to Bayern Munich on the Parc des Princes (20:00 GMT).