Wrexham striker Paul Mullin suffered a horrific clash with Manchester United‘s goalkeeper, Nathan Bishop, during a pre-season friendly between the sides from the United Kingdom. Mullin had to be substituted early in the first half of the match to receive medical treatment.
Ryan Reynolds‘s Wrexham clashed with Manchester United in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, USA.
In the 12th minute of the game, Paul Mullin, the fan-favorite, suffered an injury during a clash with Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Nathan Bishop. The 28-year-old striker took a hit in the kidney region while chasing a through ball.
12′ CHANCE! Paul Mullin is in over the top and heads the ball beyond Nathan Bishop but he’s clattered by the United goalkeeper. Free-kick on the edge of the box, and a yellow card for the United stopper. Concern for Mullin, who has a head injury.
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC | #WxmUSTour
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) July 26, 2023
The medical team checked on the striker who stayed on the ground for eight additional minutes. Eventually, Mullin sat back up and was escorted off the field with an oxygen mask. There were early signs of hope as he opted to walk off with assistance from medics instead of using a stretcher and a cart that had been sent for him.
However, later, an ESPN broadcaster reported that Mullin was hospitalized at a San Diego Hospital. Manager Phil Parkinson later confirmed that Mullin had suffered a punctured lung.
As a consequence of the clash, Nathan Bishop was unfortunately booed for the rest of the match by the fans at the Snapdragon Stadium. The 23-year-old keeper received a yellow card following the incident.
Paul Mullin puts his last drop of blood into everything he does. The entire @Wrexham_AFC community is pulling for a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/CclAD42nFw
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 26, 2023
Ryan Reynolds took to Twitter and sent his best wishes to Mullin, writing, “Paul Mullin puts his last drop of blood into everything he does. The entire @Wrexham_AFC community is pulling for a speedy recovery.”
Wrexham fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for their striker, who scored 47 goals across all competitions last season. Among those, 38 strikes helped Wrexham secure the National League title.
Wrexham gives Manchester United their first loss of the pre-season
Wrexham came out victorious 3-1 to give Manchester United their first loss of the pre-season. The Welsh side secured victory even after their star striker, Paul Mullin, was injured at the start of the first half. Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden & Sam Dolby were on the scoresheet for Wrexham, while Daniel Gore of Manchester United was sent off in the second half. Manchester United fielded a relatively young lineup, as they will be back in action on July 27 against Real Madrid.
74′ A record crowd for the Snapdragon Stadium of 34,248!
[3-1]
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC | #WxmUSTour pic.twitter.com/gSYfCTLPYp
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) July 26, 2023
The pre-season friendly between these sides was a highly anticipated one. The fans gathered in record numbers in the Snapdragon Stadium to see the world’s third-oldest professional soccer club, Wrexham, took on the most successful soccer club in England, Manchester United.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of Wrexham in 2021, along with a hit Disney+ documentary and promotion to the Football League in April, has brought the club to prominence and generated global interest. The Welsh side had a memorable tour of the States, securing victories over Chelsea, LA Galaxy, and Manchester United.