Man Utd & Lionesses star Mary Earps admits being thrust into the spotlight by goalkeeping heroics has left her feeling 'so close to burnout'

Earps has won award after award in recent years because of her heroics for United and the Lionesses. Having helped England to European Championship success and the Women's World Cup final, she was named The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper two years in a row and named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2023. The attention paid to the goalkeeper has caused problems as she admits it is hard to find balance in life.

"Probably the hardest part is the public eye element of it," she told Women's Health UK. "It’s really hard to find a balance between Mary the person and Mary Earps the footballer – the whoever that everyone else thinks that you are…I remember, like: 'Oh, I’m not me now. I’m the character me…' I think that’s why it feels like you never get that time to yourself. That’s why you feel so close to burnout a lot of the time."

Earps has risen to international stardom due to her exploits for club and country. The 30-year-old has 47 caps for England and kept 25 clean sheets along the way. She won the Golden Glove at the Women's World Cup last year and the same award in the Women's Super League last season.

Earps will continue her pursuit of more trophies this week as she and her United team-mates meet Southampton in the Women's FA Cup on Sunday. A week later, they will then come up against Arsenal in the Women's Super League.