United Women Review | PSG at home

United 2 - 1 PSG

Three wins from three for Marc Skinner's side in the league phase of the Champions League

Author | Olivia T

All eyes were on Mary Earps before kick-off as the former United goalkeeper made her return following the headlines around her autobiography, but it was our players who stole the show. Earps could do little about either goal as we produced another strong performance under Marc Skinner.

Melvine Malard gave us the lead after half an hour, shrugging off Griedge Mbock Bathy before firing past Earps with real composure. PSG equalised just before the break through Olga Carmona, whose looping strike beat young keeper Safia Middleton-Patel, starting in place of the injured Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

The visitors, semi-finalists last season, showed their quality and struck the woodwork twice, but our response in the second half was superb. Fridolina Rolfo, the two-time Champions League winner signed from Barcelona, restored our advantage with a brilliant header from Anna Sandberg’s cross.

It capped off another statement win for this team, who look full of confidence and belief. With back-to-back European victories and more than 14,000 fans inside Old Trafford, this felt like another step forward in our journey to becoming genuine contenders on the biggest stage.

Our players belong in this competition

There were a few surprised faces before kick-off as Ella Toone was left out of the starting eleven, along with striker Elisabeth Terland. With Phallon Tullis-Joyce unavailable and Safia Middleton-Patel making only her second senior appearance for United, her first at Old Trafford and in the Champions League, some fans were understandably nervous.

Those nerves only grew inside the opening minutes when PSG’s Jennifer Echegini rattled the inside of the post with a fierce effort that had Middleton-Patel beaten. The young Welsh keeper soon settled, though, showing great composure on such a big occasion.

Anna Sandberg had her work cut out at left-back as Nigerian winger Rasheedat Ajibade caused problems down the flank, and PSG enjoyed plenty of possession early on. But with Melvine Malard leading the line, we always looked threatening on the break.

Malard had been quiet until her moment came. Reading Jayde Riviere’s long ball perfectly, she muscled past Griedge Mbock Bathy and finished superbly past Mary Earps into the far corner. Earps could only slide to her knees in frustration, powerless to stop her former teammate’s precise strike.

PSG hit back before half-time through Olga Carmona, who found space to curl a stunning effort over Middleton-Patel. It was a reminder of the French side’s individual quality, but our response after the break was outstanding.

Old Trafford came alive in the second half as Jess Park’s brilliant footwork helped set up Fridolina Rolfo’s header to restore our lead. Moments later, Earps denied Malard another goal with a smart save at her near post, but by then the tone of the night was set. United had shown courage, quality and belief to take down one of Europe’s best once again.