Man Utd star Mary Earps hits back at fan after "too important" accusation

Mary Earps hit back at a “hurtful” comment from a Manchester United fan who accused the England No 1 of being “too important” to engage with supporters post-match.

Earps played the full 90 minutes of United’s 5-0 rout of Everton and made a particularly impressive save as she pushed Hanna Bennison’s strike over the bar to record another league clean sheet. The post-match mood was especially celebratory as Marc Skinner’s side rebounded in style from their early Champions League exit in midweek.

But where Earps’ on-pitch exploits garnered due praise, her off-pitch behaviour became a surprise subject of criticism when a United fan posted a comment on social media seemingly taking umbrage with the England shot-stopper failing to stop for her daughter after the match.

The fan wrote on Instagram : “Thank you Ella Toone & Nikita Parris for stopping to meet my daughter today. It’s a shame Mary Earps is far too busy and important to stop for her fans these days!!”

Earps screenshotted the comment and wrote on her Instagram story: “I try to ignore comments like these – but after a great win & spending so much time post-game meeting so many of you lovely lot afterwards, it’s hurtful to get home and get tagged in comments like these. Be kind. Happy Sunday. Love Mary x”

Earps has won a legion of staunch support since becoming England’s No 1 under manager Sarina Wiegman.

The 30-year-old boasts over 1million TikTok followers and nearly 700k followers on Instagram, while her steadfast backing has seen her successfully take on global sporting apparel giant Nike and cut her one of the most influential players in the modern game.

Nevertheless, women’s footballers have found themselves routinely vilified of late for what some detractors have deemed inconsiderate behaviour after matches, in which players do not stop and adequately engage with supporters.

The Lionesses were thrust into a glaring spotlight following their World Cup final loss after supporters were left disappointed at Heathrow Airport when the team did not greet them in the arrival halls, despite a longstanding protocol that means England teams exit the airport via a private route.

Further scrutiny was levied after the team's first match following the Women’s World Cup when vociferous England fans shouted at Sarina Wiegman’s side to “get off the bus” after their 2-1 victory over Scotland at Sunderland ’s Stadium of Light.

The growing phenomenon has become a contentious talking point in the ever-evolving women's game as players struggle to meet the lofty expectations of a swelling and devoted fanbase, with some fans branding their counterparts as 'entitled' and 'disrespectful' for criticisms of players.