Man Utd's 'big-time goalkeeper' with big boots to fill

Phallon Tullis-Joyce has big boots to fill at Manchester United.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps had held the position as number one since 2019 before moving to Paris St-Germain in the summer.

During her time at United, Earps was voted the Best Fifa Women's Goalkeeper twice, having won the European Championship with England and the Women's Super League (WSL) Golden Glove in 2023.

Her impact was so great that Earps became the first female footballer to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds and there is a mosaic of her outside Old Trafford.

But there is a new number one at United, and manager Marc Skinner says Tullis-Joyce, who was signed in 2023, is ready to step up.

"Phallon is the best shot-stopper I have ever worked with in my life," said Skinner.

"She is an incredible footballer, an incredibly intelligent human and I’m really looking forward to showing you what she can do for this team.

"She is a big-time goalkeeper. That’s why I brought her."

Tullis-Joyce's arrival last summer was a popular one. She brought experience as a regular starter for previous clubs Reims and Seattle Reign, and has shown glimpses of a cool and composed personality.

However, game time was limited as she only made four appearances - keeping two clean sheets - in the Women's League Cup group stage.

"While I didn’t have much game time last season, I have been the starting goalkeeper for some big teams," said Tullis-Joyce.

"I definitely respect the decisions of my coaching staff. They were also very transparent on my role in the team and how they wanted me to develop.

"I always felt like I was being prepared, which I was very thankful for. I was grateful for the chances I had that might have been in the shadows but were there."

The New York-born goalkeeper says she was able to learn from Earps and team-mate Safia Middleton-Patel in training to prepare for a big season ahead.

"You could have a laugh in training sessions. I come from a serious background. Americans are straight to the point," said Tullis-Joyce.

"Mary is a good laugh, a good personality but she also very much set the standards. While we had a laugh, we were very serious and got our job done.

"We were able to progress as a group, even though we were all three different goalkeepers. We got our work in and that’s what has prepared me for this season."

The 27-year-old has had to bide her time at United, but it is finally paying off and Tullis-Joyce hopes to be an example to young goalkeepers, as Earps was to her.

"I think I’ve had an interesting career but obviously I’m at the steering wheel of that. I’ve been a little bit of a late bloomer for a goalkeeper," she said.

"Just letting other goalkeepers know that you do have time to figure yourself out and your path - that's how it’s been for me.

"Maybe on paper my progress looks a little slower but you can still have your time. I still believe that no matter what age you are, you can still grow. I’m still learning plenty of new things."

Being Manchester United number one inevitably adds pressure, but Tullis-Joyce says she has been aware of it every day in training - and nothing changes.

"Every single time it’s important to give my best. That’s what my team-mates demand," said Tullis-Joyce.

"I respect them so much so want to give my best performances for them. No matter what team I join, I have a very firm loyalty.

"I love to learn the history of the club I’m playing for, and this club has had a strong one in the past six years.

"There has been a lot of great people here before me. I take a lot of pride in where I stand right now."

Aside from winning trophies and keeping clean sheets, Tullis-Joyce wants to show her personality on the pitch this season.

"I want to show my work ethic," she said. "I want to show my communication skills and just own it. I want to be a strong force at the back. No matter what happens, I want my team-mates to know I’m there for them.

"Everyone knows every goalkeeper has a sprinkling of craziness, so we all have our own sort. I just want my presence to be known.

"I want to show things that maybe people haven’t seen before."