Manchester United Women scripted a historic chapter at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday, securing a memorable 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in their first-ever Women's Champions League match at Old Trafford.
A Night of Firsts and Emotional Returns
The famous stadium hosted women's European football for the very first time, with a crowd of nearly 15,000 fans creating an electric atmosphere. The match was also a significant personal milestone for manager Marc Skinner, who hailed the occasion as a landmark achievement for the club.
Much of the pre-match narrative centred on the return of former United goalkeeper Mary Earps. The England international, a fan favourite until her move to PSG last summer, received a mixed reception from the crowd. She was loudly booed by many, a reaction linked to her departure and recent public comments, though she was also cheered by some and warmly greeted by her former teammates after the final whistle.
Match Action and Standout Performances
On the pitch, United's quality shone through. Melvine Malard opened the scoring with a fine individual effort in the first half. PSG's Olga Carmona managed to equalise just before the break, setting up a tense second half.
The winning goal came from Fridolina Rolfo in the second period, sealing a vital three points for the home side. In goal, United were forced to start Safia Middleton-Patel after an injury to first-choice keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The 21-year-old's performance earned high praise from Skinner, who named her his player of the match.
Manager and Player Reaction
Speaking after the final whistle, a delighted Marc Skinner said, "It had everything of who we are. It shows our commitment, how much we love the fans, and how much we love the club. Congratulations to all the players and staff because we've made history." The victory gives United a perfect record of nine points from their first three games in the competition's league phase.
Match-winner Fridolina Rolfo expressed her joy, stating, "It felt amazing. I'm so happy for this win. It was a tough game, a physical opponent, but we won and I'm super happy I could help the team with scoring a goal." On the reception for Earps, she added that she noticed the boos but also saw supportive signs, confirming the mixed nature of the evening for the returning goalkeeper.
