She Who Missed Percy Pig Is Back, Facing Former Club Manchester United in First Match

Mary Earps is back. The former England women's goalkeeper has returned to the Women's Super League after two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, joining London City Lionesses. Her first competitive match after returning will be against former club Manchester United, where she spent five years.

Earps said that during the two years away, she missed the comfort of the UK, her friends and family, and Percy Pig (a type of British sweet) the most. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," she said when describing her return.

"I am very, very happy to be home"

Earps left Manchester United for Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, an experience that gave her the chance to live away from the spotlight in England. She admitted that her time in Paris was "really good" and allowed her to experience "the Parisian way of life," but conversations with London City convinced her to return to England.

"I am very, very happy to be home," Earps said. "I missed the comfort of the UK, my friends and family, and one or two Percy Pigs! From a football perspective, I missed English football culture — the feeling of walking into a stadium, the energy of the crowd, and the atmosphere around women's football in this country."

She admitted that she knew she would miss these things when she left: "I knew I would probably miss these things after leaving, but that is why I am so excited to be back. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I left to push myself outside my comfort zone and gain different football and life experiences. I will carry these experiences with me forever."

Facing Manchester United is "like a moth to a flame"

In the Women's Super League season opener, Earps will travel with London City to face Manchester United. It will not be her first time facing her former club — in last season's Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain were drawn in the same group as Manchester United, and Earps received a warm welcome when she returned to Old Trafford. She said at the time that it meant "a lot" to her. That period came during a turbulent time after she published her autobiography and explained her decision to step away from international football.

Now, her first competitive match for London City could be against Manchester United, and Earps joked that it was almost destined: "Yes, like a moth to a flame."

"The club has changed a lot since I left. Although some people have moved on as football and life have progressed, there will still be some familiar faces, and the fans will not change — they remain as loyal as ever."

Competition for the starting spot excites her

Earps said she does not yet know whether she will become London City's starting goalkeeper, but the competition excites her. She believes "London City will do great things for a long time."