Rolfö's Decisive Header Secures United Victory
Manchester United Women continued their impressive start to the Women's Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at a packed Old Trafford. The match was marked by Fridolina Rolfö's excellent second-half header that proved to be the difference between the two sides, leaving former United goalkeeper Mary Earps defeated on her emotional return to Manchester.
Earps Faces Mixed Reception in Manchester Return
The build-up to the match had been dominated by Mary Earps' first appearance against her former club since departing 501 days earlier. While the England international received cheers during the warm-up, she was targeted with boos throughout the match once kick-off arrived. However, the experienced goalkeeper, who boasts 52 England caps and a Euro 2022 winner's medal, appeared largely unaffected by the reception.
The match began with PSG showing far more urgency than their dismal European form suggested, having lost their opening two group matches. The visitors came close to taking an early lead when Jennifer Echegini struck the post from 25 yards, with United's stand-in goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel left stranded.
United Respond After Carmona's Stunning Equaliser
Manchester United gradually grew into the contest and took the lead through Melvine Malard's determined solo effort. The French forward bundled aside Griedge Mbock Bathy before firing past Earps, whose dive appeared somewhat low as the ball found the far corner.
PSG responded strongly before half-time, with Olga Carmona unleashing a spectacular 20-yard strike that arrowed into the top-left corner of Middleton-Patel's net. The Spanish international's goal gave the French side a psychological advantage heading into the break, having dominated large periods of the first half.
The visitors came within centimetres of taking the lead immediately after the restart when Anaïs Ebayilin's effort struck the same left post that Echegini had found earlier, though this time Middleton-Patel managed to push the ball onto the woodwork.
The decisive moment arrived when Anna Sandberg delivered a pinpoint cross from the left that found Rolfö perfectly positioned to direct a clinical header past Earps, giving the Swedish international no chance. United nearly extended their lead moments later when Malard forced a fine save from the former United keeper, who pushed the shot low to her left.
Manager Marc Skinner introduced substitutes Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton for the final phase as United successfully resisted PSG's late pressure to secure all three points. The victory maintains United's perfect start in the competition with six points from their opening two matches, having previously beaten Atlético Madrid and Vålerenga.
The result provides a significant boost for Skinner's side after their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Women's Super League on Saturday, while PSG's European struggles continue with their third consecutive defeat in the competition.
