Earps was a hugely popular figure at United following her arrival in 2019 from Wolfsburg.
She played every league game for four seasons as United’s outright number one and won the Women’s FA Cup in May 2024 – the club’s first major trophy – before heading to France when her contract expired.
Earps had been offered a new deal to stay but, after much deliberation, she rejected it, saying the club were preparing to “undergo a period of transition” that “did not align” with where she was in her career.
“I think she will get a good reception. Her time at Manchester United was very good,” ex-England midfielder Fara Williams told Football Focus.
“She took them to their first Champions League finish while she was there. She had second-placed finishes with United, played in FA Cup finals. She had a great time at the club and the fans adored her, so I’m sure she’ll go back to a good reception.”
Earps, though, was less hopeful.
“I’m probably expecting a little booing,” she admitted. “I hope it’s a little bit, but it might be a lot.
“A few of the fans have come out to support me at PSG, but Manchester United is their number one team. I understand that.”
While he can’t control what reception Earps will receive, Skinner said he was looking forward to welcoming her back to Manchester and hopes the new book will not change people’s perceptions of her.
“Deep down I know Mary is a good person,” he added. “I’m sure part of bringing out a book is bringing out controversial stuff that will help sell the book. I know that she has to defend that publicly.
“Knowing the human she is, I’m sure she will be getting criticism that she won’t like. It’s part of the other side of releasing a book.
“But she’s a great person, she doesn’t need me to say that really. I hope people toe the line with criticism, but I’m sure Mary understands the situation she’s put herself in.
“She’s on a platform where people are interested in what she says, so that’s a credit to her and to her hard work.
“The goalkeeper we had at the start, to the one that left, was not the same person. She transformed.”
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