Lionesses hero Mary Earps appears to take swipe at Sir Jim Ratcliffe as she confirms Man Utd exit after five years

MARY EARPS confirmed she is leaving Manchester United after the end of her contract.

And Earps, 31, appeared to take a swipe at new United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe stating the club’s “period of transition” as the reason behind her departure.

Mary Earps confirmed she is leaving Manchester United after the end of her contractGetty

Earps appeared to take a swipe at Man Utd chief Sir Jim RatcliffeAlamy

Ratcliffe said plans for Man Utd’s women’s team are ‘to-be-continued’Instagram / @maryearps

The goalkeeper implied that she could not achieve her ambitions under the current circumstances at Old Trafford.

This comes after Ratcliffe sparked fury by admitting plans for the women’s team are “to-be-continued” while describing the men’s team as the “first team”.

Thus, the Lionesses legend turned down a new contract from the Red Devils and now seems set to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Earps posted on Instagram: “Dear the United family, after five years of service to your great club, I have decided that it’s time for a new challenge.

“It’s a decision I’ve gone backwards and forwards on for some time, and is not one I’ve made lightly.

“The club is about to undergo a period of transition, and unfortunately I don’t feel it aligns with the timing of where I’m at in my career, therefore I think now is the right time to make a change and embark on a new challenge.”

Earps joined United in 2019 from Wolfsburg and went on to amass a total of 125 appearances while breaking the record for most WSL clean sheets in one season and overall.

The England international helped the Manchester giants win their first ever FA Cup last season after a stunning 4-0 win over Tottenham in the final.

The popular keeper, who also led the Lionesses to the Euro 2022 trophy, expressed her gratitude to the fans for all their support in the last five years.

Earps added: “There aren’t the right words, or enough words, to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all, but I hope the below comes somewhere close.

“I’m proud to have played every league minute for the badge for the past five seasons, and even more proud for us as a team to have broken the record of the most clean sheets kept in a season in 2023.

“The icing on the cake was winning the FA Cup at Wembley, a trophy I’ve always dreamed of winning, with you all singing at the top of your voices. I could list so many more favourite memories, but these in particular I’ll cherish.

“I have loved playing in front of you all, near and far but especially at Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford. It doesn’t feel real that I won’t be playing in front of you all again next season, and I’m sad we’re saying goodbye.

“But from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for your incredible support over the years; the ups and downs, I’m grateful for it all.

“To my team-mates, there have been some special people to grace our changing rooms over the past five years. I’m fortunate to have stood alongside you all and I’ll be rooting for you.

“Although this United chapter has sadly come to a close, I take with me a heart full of incredible moments. Thank you for welcoming me as one of your own and letting me be a part of your club.

“I wish you all the very best for the future and I hope I can continue to make you proud in my next chapter. GGMU, Your number 27, Mary x.”

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