Thomas Hein
Manchester United have been one of the most represented Women’s Super League teams at the Women’s European Championship. Many of Marc Skinner’s leading players have been in action at the tournament in England.
Here is a look at some United players who have stood out.
Mary Earps (England)
Goalkeeper Mary Earps has been a safe pair of hands for United over the last three years. Since arriving from Wolfsburg, she has made 69 appearances for the club. She is now a regular for England in Sarina Wiegman’s team.
No goals conceded in the #WEURO2022 group stage.
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) July 15, 2022
Kudos, Mary Earps 👏 pic.twitter.com/WkOjPei3Os
In the group stages, Earps did not concede a single goal in games against Austria, Northern Ireland and Sweden. She also pulled off some excellent saves against Spain in their quarter final encounter.
England are now 5/4 favourites in the Women’s Euros odds. If they are to win the tournament, the Lionesses will need Earps to be at her best between the sticks across their next two matches.
The hosts are one of the Women’s Euros tips for their semi-final tie with Sweden. With the opposition set to be even stronger in the last four, Earps can show her class again to lead her country to the final.
Earps will be an important player for United when she returns from international duty as they push towards Women’s Super League success. She is one of the senior members of the squad now and a player Skinner looks upon as a leader in the team.
Maria Thorisdottir (Norway)
Defender Maria Thorisdottir played 27 times for United last season in the heart of defence. Ever since the former Chelsea player broke into the team she has been hard to leave out. The 29-year-old has a lot of experience at the highest level, proving invaluable for the Reds.
Thorisdottir is one of the star players in Norway’s improving team and she played two of her country’s three matches at Euro 2022. She was dominant at the back in her side’s 4-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their tournament’s opening game.
Despite Thorisdottir’s efforts, Norway were no match for England in their second game of the group. The hosts were dominant in that game, running away as 8-0 winners. Unfortunately for Thorisdottir and her teammates, they were eliminated when they were beaten 1-0 by Austria in their final game in Group A.
Vilde Boe Risa (Norway)
United in support of @VildeBoeRisa 🇳🇴🙌#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/qezi4UGabQ
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) June 30, 2022
With 53 international appearances, Vilde Boe Risa is already one of Norway’s most capped players. The United midfielder has played 10 times in 2022 for her country, including two of their Euro 2022 games.
In her debut season at United, Boe Risa scored three goals. She showed she can be dangerous in front of the goal. The 27-year-old could not get on the scoresheet during the European Championship, but she was a key part of Norway’s attack.
Boe Risa will be back again at a major tournament with a Norwegian team capable of doing much better. She should continue to improve in the Women’s Super League for the Reds.
United are in action in the opening game of their new season on the 11th of September when they take on Tottenham at Brisbane Road.
