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A tale of two goalkeepers: Mary Earps beaten on return to Man Utd as Safia Middleton-Patel announces her arrival

A tale of two goalkeepers: Mary Earps beaten on return to Man Utd as Safia Middleton-Patel announces her arrival

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The spotlight heading into a huge Champions League clash at Old Trafford was focused on Earps, but Middleton-Patel rose to the occasion on the biggest stage.

By Jamie Spencer

Safia Middleton-Patel didn’t know she would be starting Manchester United’s biggest game of the season so far until Wednesday morning, ahead kick-off at 8pm that night.

But come full-time of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League visit on matchday three of the league phase, the 21-year-old goalkeeper had made a significant contribution to a landmark win that leaves the Red Devils already on the brink on the knockouts in their maiden European adventure.

It was a massive shock not to see Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s name on the team-sheet. The American stopper, who joined the club in 2023 and assumed the No.1 spot from Mary Earps a year later, is a huge reason why United are competing at this level. She conceded just 10 goals through the first 20 WSL games of last season and shared the Golden Glove with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton thanks to 13 clean sheets – one shy of the league record.

Tullis-Joyce was also recently shortlisted for 2025’s Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper, underlining her world class status. Yet a knock suffered during the weekend’s unexpected WSL defeat to Aston Villa, not initially expected to rule her out, thrust Middleton-Patel into the spotlight at very short notice.

A lot of the pre-match discourse had been about Earps, fresh off the controversy sparked by her book release and associated interviews. Turning attentions to this match, the former Lioness said this week about preparing to be booed, facing the club for the first time since leaving as a free agent.

There was some jeering early on, but the reception was, at worst, mixed and faded. It felt as though Earps publicising the idea that she might be booed was serving as a reminder to do it. In online fan groups, most had openly said they planned to welcome her, or at least be indifferent. It was far from the overtly hostile reception Alessia Russo has had on her returns with Arsenal since 2023.

Where Russo left for a direct rival while on the rise, and with no direct replacement, Earps moved abroad, had arguably started to decline in on-field performances during her final season, and had Tullis-Joyce waiting to seamlessly fill the void. Although a hugely popular during five years with United and creating an important legacy, her exit when it happened mattered less.

For Middleton-Patel, it was a first start in 11 months and only her second United game. Her last appearance – a 5-3 League Cup win over Newcastle – was her debut. Three games for Coventry United, one for Blackburn and six for Watford, all second tier loans, were her only prior senior club experience. She has also played six times for Wales, one of those at Euro 2025.

But the United academy graduate, who has long been a fans’ hero and is also a champion for autism awareness after speaking openly about her diagnosis, is no stranger to pulling out big performances either. Middleton-Patel was named player of the match when Wales frustrated continental heavyweights Sweden in a Nations League draw earlier this year.

As the PSG game got underway, she could have been forgiven for a nervous start, appearing unsettled by an early cross. Almost immediately, Jennifer Echegani lashed a warning shot towards goal that crashed off the inside of the post.

United boss Marc Skinner would say afterwards that he “believed in” Middleton-Patel and just wanted her to “be herself” out there. After PSG hit the woodwork, she settled and grew in confidence – a moment in which she had to dive forwards to grasp a loose ball before Echegani could get to it felt like a catalyst for what followed. Before the first half was out, and with United 1-0 up through Melvine Malard, she’d also tipped Rasheedat Ajiibade’s swerving cross onto the bar.

Olga Carmona’s equaliser was unstoppable, flying into the top corner from distance. “I don’t think any goalkeeper is going to save that,” Ellen White remarked during half-time on the game’s ESPN on Disney+ broadcast. But with that goal changing the momentum and PSG returning from the break on top, Middleton-Patel made her most crucial intervention. Anaïs Ebayilin’s vicious strike quickly after the restart was destined for the back of the net until two strong palms diverted the ball onto the post and behind.

If Middleton-Patel didn’t make that save, PSG would likely have won, taking the lead and already in the ascendancy. But not much more than 10 minutes later, after the phenomenal Jess Park had worked the ball 50 yards across the pitch, Anna Sandberg’s cross was headed in by Fridolina Rolfö.

Earps, who cut a frustrated figure at twice being beaten, denied Malard and Simi Awujo as United threatened to further punish a stretched and increasingly desperate PSG, still yet to register a single point in the league phase. Meanwhile, Middleton-Patel’s goal remained largely unchallenged in the remaining half hour, in part thanks to one instance of resolute defending from Jayde Riviere.

United sit third in the fledgling UWCL league phase table

On the ball, Middleton-Patel was composed. The goalkeeper was involved in the early build-up passing that led to the decisive goal and, with United then ahead, there was an instance where she came rushing out to retrieve a loose ball, warding off the backtracking Sandberg to take control of the situation and then finding a pass to feet rather than a hurried a clearance. It was one of three examples of assuming the sweeper role and provided United an extra dimension.

“You train for moments like this,” Middleton-Patel reflected on her overall performance. Riviere took home UEFA’s player of the match trophy, but insisted to MUTV, “For someone her age to have that much maturity and just take it head on… if anything, she’s the player of the match for me.”

(Cover image from IMAGO)

For all the best coverage we have on women’s football and all the top games to follow on FotMob each month, please subscribe to our free newsletter – here.

A tale of two goalkeepers: Mary Earps beaten on return to Man Utd as Safia Middleton-Patel announces her arrival

The spotlight heading into a huge Champions League clash at Old Trafford was focused on Earps, but Middleton-Patel rose to the occasion on the biggest stage.

By Jamie Spencer

Safia Middleton-Patel didn’t know she would be starting Manchester United’s biggest game of the season so far until Wednesday morning, ahead kick-off at 8pm that night.

But come full-time of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League visit on matchday three of the league phase, the 21-year-old goalkeeper had made a significant contribution to a landmark win that leaves the Red Devils already on the brink on the knockouts in their maiden European adventure.

It was a massive shock not to see Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s name on the team-sheet. The American stopper, who joined the club in 2023 and assumed the No.1 spot from Mary Earps a year later, is a huge reason why United are competing at this level. She conceded just 10 goals through the first 20 WSL games of last season and shared the Golden Glove with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton thanks to 13 clean sheets – one shy of the league record.

Tullis-Joyce was also recently shortlisted for 2025’s Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper, underlining her world class status. Yet a knock suffered during the weekend’s unexpected WSL defeat to Aston Villa, not initially expected to rule her out, thrust Middleton-Patel into the spotlight at very short notice.

A lot of the pre-match discourse had been about Earps, fresh off the controversy sparked by her book release and associated interviews. Turning attentions to this match, the former Lioness said this week about preparing to be booed, facing the club for the first time since leaving as a free agent.

There was some jeering early on, but the reception was, at worst, mixed and faded. It felt as though Earps publicising the idea that she might be booed was serving as a reminder to do it. In online fan groups, most had openly said they planned to welcome her, or at least be indifferent. It was far from the overtly hostile reception Alessia Russo has had on her returns with Arsenal since 2023.

Where Russo left for a direct rival while on the rise, and with no direct replacement, Earps moved abroad, had arguably started to decline in on-field performances during her final season, and had Tullis-Joyce waiting to seamlessly fill the void. Although a hugely popular during five years with United and creating an important legacy, her exit when it happened mattered less.

For Middleton-Patel, it was a first start in 11 months and only her second United game. Her last appearance – a 5-3 League Cup win over Newcastle – was her debut. Three games for Coventry United, one for Blackburn and six for Watford, all second tier loans, were her only prior senior club experience. She has also played six times for Wales, one of those at Euro 2025.

But the United academy graduate, who has long been a fans’ hero and is also a champion for autism awareness after speaking openly about her diagnosis, is no stranger to pulling out big performances either. Middleton-Patel was named player of the match when Wales frustrated continental heavyweights Sweden in a Nations League draw earlier this year.

As the PSG game got underway, she could have been forgiven for a nervous start, appearing unsettled by an early cross. Almost immediately, Jennifer Echegani lashed a warning shot towards goal that crashed off the inside of the post.

United boss Marc Skinner would say afterwards that he “believed in” Middleton-Patel and just wanted her to “be herself” out there. After PSG hit the woodwork, she settled and grew in confidence – a moment in which she had to dive forwards to grasp a loose ball before Echegani could get to it felt like a catalyst for what followed. Before the first half was out, and with United 1-0 up through Melvine Malard, she’d also tipped Rasheedat Ajiibade’s swerving cross onto the bar.

Olga Carmona’s equaliser was unstoppable, flying into the top corner from distance. “I don’t think any goalkeeper is going to save that,” Ellen White remarked during half-time on the game’s ESPN on Disney+ broadcast. But with that goal changing the momentum and PSG returning from the break on top, Middleton-Patel made her most crucial intervention. Anaïs Ebayilin’s vicious strike quickly after the restart was destined for the back of the net until two strong palms diverted the ball onto the post and behind.

If Middleton-Patel didn’t make that save, PSG would likely have won, taking the lead and already in the ascendancy. But not much more than 10 minutes later, after the phenomenal Jess Park had worked the ball 50 yards across the pitch, Anna Sandberg’s cross was headed in by Fridolina Rolfö.

Earps, who cut a frustrated figure at twice being beaten, denied Malard and Simi Awujo as United threatened to further punish a stretched and increasingly desperate PSG, still yet to register a single point in the league phase. Meanwhile, Middleton-Patel’s goal remained largely unchallenged in the remaining half hour, in part thanks to one instance of resolute defending from Jayde Riviere.

United sit third in the fledgling UWCL league phase table

On the ball, Middleton-Patel was composed. The goalkeeper was involved in the early build-up passing that led to the decisive goal and, with United then ahead, there was an instance where she came rushing out to retrieve a loose ball, warding off the backtracking Sandberg to take control of the situation and then finding a pass to feet rather than a hurried a clearance. It was one of three examples of assuming the sweeper role and provided United an extra dimension.

“You train for moments like this,” Middleton-Patel reflected on her overall performance. Riviere took home UEFA’s player of the match trophy, but insisted to MUTV, “For someone her age to have that much maturity and just take it head on… if anything, she’s the player of the match for me.”

(Cover image from IMAGO)

For all the best coverage we have on women’s football and all the top games to follow on FotMob each month, please subscribe to our free newsletter – here.