Mary Earps has felt like a "punching bag" amid ongoing contract discussions with Manchester United.
The England No 1 has spent the last five seasons with the Red Devils but her current deal expires this summer. Speculation has swirled around the shot-stopper's future, with interest arriving from Arsenal last year and French giants Paris Saint-Germain in January.
Earps, 31, has been candid about her desire to compete in the game's top echelons, most notably the Champions League. And despite helping claim the Women's FA Cup trophy this season -- a first major honour for United's women's team since the side's reformation in 2018 -- United's disappointing Women's Super League season during which they finished fifth means there will be no European football next season.
And with the club's new minority owners INEOS pledging to lift the standard and investment for the women's side, Earps said she is waiting on assurances from the club on the direction the future will take before making her decision.
"The honest reality is that conversations are still ongoing," Earps told Sky Sports News . "I've been clear I don't want to make an emotional decision.
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"The beginning of the season was really tough, I felt really upset about things that were being said about me and things that came out that weren't true.
"I've tried to be professional, keep my head down, work hard, get on with my job and that's been hard. I've been a punching bag at times. I know I've given my heart and soul for the whole season. It's a tough situation.
"I've asked the club for some confirmation on what they're trying to achieve and when I have those answers I'll be able to make a decision. It's up to the club."
Mary Earps celebrates with teammates after the FA Cup final victory over Tottenham Hotspur (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Earps' desire for assurances of commitment echo those ushered by Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle, two star players who departed the club for free last summer. The exits sparked plenty of opprobrium from fans. United will hope to avoid a similar situation with Earps, for whom they rejected a world-record bid for a women's goalkeeper last year.
United boss Marc Skinner was another figure whose future at the club remained in contention for many months this season. The 41-year-old came under fierce scrutiny for the underwhelming league season after pushing Chelsea to the brink the season prior. However, United's hierarchy extended the former Birmingham manager's contract by 12 months.
And Skinner has been open about his desire to see Earps remain at the club as he bids to build on the FA Cup triumph.
"I'd love her to stay but there are moments outside of the club representatives need to achieve," he said. "It's important we don't put the player in that. It's not about Mary in this moment, it's about representatives meeting.
"I really enjoy working with Mary and hope I can continue to do that."
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