Melvine Malard and Fridolina Rolfo Shine as Man Utd Defeats PSG 2-1 Ruining Mary Earps’ Old Trafford Return to Maintain Perfect Champions League Record
Manchester United achieved a 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in their UEFA Women’s Champions League match at Old Trafford. This win allowed them to maintain their perfect record in the tournament.
Game Highlights: Malard and Rolfo Shine
Goals from Melvine Malard and Fridolina Rolfo secured the win for United. This match marked their first appearance in the Champions League proper at Old Trafford.
- Melvine Malard: Scored the opening goal with an impressive run and finish.
- Fridolina Rolfo: Added a second goal, resulting from a well-executed team play.
Mary Earps, the former United keeper, made a controversial return, receiving boos from the crowd every time she touched the ball. She had left United for PSG in 2024 on a free transfer.
Match Overview
The match started slowly, with only one significant attempt until Malard opened the scoring. Early in the game, Jennifer Echegini struck the post, but the excitement picked up with Malard’s goal.
Malard intercepted a forward pass from Jayde Riviere, shrugging off Griedge Mbock before finding the net. This goal was crucial for United as they aimed to rebound from a recent domestic loss to Aston Villa.
PSG managed to equalize right before halftime, thanks to a long-range effort from Olga Carmona. Despite the setback, United maintained composure and returned stronger in the second half.
Key Performers
- Safia Middleton-Patel: Made vital saves after stepping in for the injured Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
- Jess Park: Instrumental in creating opportunities for United, having joined from Manchester City.
After the match, Park expressed her joy playing for United, likening the experience to being a child again. She highlighted the support from fans and emphasized the team’s unity and character.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Manchester United sits third in the Champions League League Phase table, just above Chelsea. Their performance keeps them well on track for the knockout stages of the tournament, reinforcing their confidence following a strong showing against PSG.
