Mary Earps is facing an uncertain future after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

Mary Earps is facing an uncertain future after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

WATCH NOW: Mary Earps wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in Salford

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 20/12/2023

- 17:01

Updated: 20/12/2023

- 17:21

The 30-year-old secured the prize in Manchester on Tuesday night

Mary Earps is currently in the spotlight after winning the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Tuesday night.

The goalkeeper managed to secure the gong ahead of Stuart Broad and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, while Rory McIlroy, Frankie Dettori and Alfie Hewett were all nominated as well.


Earps was a key player for Manchester United last season, keeping 14 WSL clean sheets.

And she was remarkable for England at the Women's World Cup, playing a key role as Sarina Wiegman's side reached the final of the competition.

Mary Earps BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Mary Earps poses with the trophy after winning the BBC Sport's Personality of the Year award on Tuesday night

PA

Earps is rightly being praised and recognised. She had an outstanding year and has become a popular figure in the nation as a result.

At club level, however, her future is currently up in the air.

Back in the summer, shortly after her heroics for her country, talk of Earps leaving Old Trafford arose.

Arsenal were mooted as potential suitors for the 30-year-old, having been impressed by her performances for both United and England over the past year.

Earps' current contract was due to expire. However, with United fearing a departure, they then triggered a one-year extension.

For now, she's a Red Devil.

Yet a departure from United isn't entirely impossible, with Arsenal still hopeful of securing her signature at one point.

Arsenal WSL boss Jonas Eidevall was recently quizzed on the prospect of landing Earps in January.

And he kept his cards close to his chest, saying: "The squad is not permanent.

"I can see players in and out in the winter transfer window."

United WSL boss Marc Skinner, meanwhile, has said he's still 'hopeful' Earps will remain with the club.

"Of course, I want Mary to stay," Skinner said.

"I have been very clear on that the whole way throughout. That's the business side of the game and I deal with the football side.

"The club are working through with Mary on what the deal looks like.

"I sit here hopeful. I play Mary because of how good she is for us. I want Mary to stay at this club.

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Mary Earps Manchester United

Mary Earps stay is wanted by Manchester United with her future at Old Trafford currently shrouded in uncertainty

GETTY

"I think the [talks] are exactly where it was right now but they are having conversations around it.

"It's with the club to continue with that. I've been clear - I can't be any more clear - that I want Mary to stay at this club.

"She's a huge part of what I want to do and build here but we'll continue to have those conversations."

Arsenal actually made a world-record bid for Earps back in the summer.

Yet, for the time being, it's difficult to tell what will happen.

Mary Earps

Mary Earps is a transfer target for Arsenal amid uncertainty over her future at Manchester United

GETTY

Earps has been keeping coy on the matter. While Arsenal are interested, she's a United player.

Reports in the summer did say, however, that she was intrigued by the possibility of moving to north London.

According to The Independent, talks between United and Arsenal over a January transfer are yet to take place.

However, the report notes that with the Red Devils recruiting Phallon Tullis-Joyce back in the summer, they may already be planning for life without Earps in their ranks.

United lost Alessia Russo for free in July.

Whether history repeats itself is something only time will tell.

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