Mary Earps on the move? Man Utd boss Marc Skinner insists he wants Lionesses goalkeeper at the club amid links with WSL rivals Arsenal

Addressing the media ahead of United's FA WSL Cup group stage match against Leicester City, Skinner stressed his desire for Earps to stay at United. The Lionesses goalkeeper was linked with a move to Arsenal over the summer, and her current contract expires at the end of the season.

Earps' contract technically expired at the end of last season, but instead of negotiating a new deal, United opted to trigger a one-year extension. The goalkeeper has suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, but she still finished fifth in the overall women's rankings at the Ballon d'Or awards in October. According to Kathryn Batte of the Mail, there are currently "no conversations" about Earps between Arsenal and United.

Skinner said, via Emma Sanders: "The club are working through with Mary on what the deal looks like. I sit here hopeful. I think the [talks] are exactly where it was. It’s with the club to continue with that. I can’t be any more clear that I want Mary to stay at this club. She’s a huge part of what I want to do and build here but we’ll continue to have those conversations. I haven’t really got an update yet."

United will go top of League Cup Group B with a win against Leicester, although their priority remains the WSL. Earps and her teammates have endured a mixed start to the campaign, but after nine games find themselves just four points behind league leaders Chelsea. After Thursday's cup tie, United will host Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village.