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Lewis Ambrose·4 July 2023
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Lewis Ambrose·4 July 2023
With the Women’s World Cup closing in, here are three Manchester United players who could have a big impact on the tournament.
What a year or so Mary Earps has enjoyed.
Last summer, the goalkeeper shone as England won the Euros. She followed it up with a record-breaking 14 clean sheets in the 2022/23 WSL season.
Named Fifa’s The Best Women’s Goalkeeper along the way, Earps has shown her shot-stopping ability, the calm to sweep outside her area and competence with the ball at her feet throughout the last 12 months.
Now the 30-year-old will be looking to deliver on the biggest stage of all.
Jayde Riviere is just 22 but has already played at a World Cup and already won an Olympic gold medal, featuring for Canada in both campaigns.
The right-back has made just one WSL appearance for Manchester United since joining the club in January, playing four minutes against Tottenham in her long-awaited debut in May, but doesn’t lack experience and should head into the summer fresh and raring to go.
A slow start to her club career post-college shouldn’t be read into too much as the defender acclimatised to being a full-time professional footballer and life on another continent. With 37 international caps to her name already, Riviere is one to watch this summer with Canada and then next season with United as well.
A hero for in last summer’s Euros success, Toone’s creative class shone through for United in 2022/23 as they finished second in the WSL.
Toone has an eye for a pass and the technical ability to pull off her ideas, something never better showcased than with her opener in the European Championship final.
The combination of quality on the ball, creativity and impressive work-rate has made the 23-year-old midfielder a mainstay for Sarina Wiegman and she will be crucial again for England this summer.