Tag: Phil Parkinson

Wrexham coach vaguely threatens Man Utd GK after Mullin left with punctured lung

Star forward Paul Mullin had to be taken to the hospital after being cleared out by Nathan Bishop

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was furious after a challenge from Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop left star striker Paul Mullin with a punctured lung.

The incident happened 12 minutes into Tuesday’s friendly between the two sides in San Diego. Bishop came out for a long ball and clattered into Mullin just outside the box, leaving the striker in a heap on the ground.

Mullin had to be given oxygen on the field and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a punctured lung. Wrexham would ultimately defeat a reserve-filled Man Utd squad 3-1.

After the game, Parkinson couldn’t hide his anger with Bishop and even made a vague-sounding threat toward the 23-year-old, saying “he’s probably best steering clear of us.”

“I’m fuming about it, I’ve got to be honest with you,” Parkinson told the BBC after the game. “I thought it was a clumsy, reckless, dangerous challenge.

“I haven’t seen the goalie and he’s probably best steering clear of us for the time being because we’re not very happy.

“We just got a call from the hospital to say there’s a small puncture in his lung.

“It should have been a straight red. If it’s not denying a goalscoring opportunity it’s still a dangerous challenge, so if you add the two scenarios together he should have been off the pitch.”

Bishop issued an apology to Mullin on Twitter, stating: “Just wanted to share my sincerest apologies to @PMullin7. A complete misjudgement and a genuine accident with 0 malicious intent at all! Wishing you the speediest recovery and hope to see you back scoring goals as soon as possible!”

Mullin was a vital figure in Wrexham’s 2022-23 campaign, scoring 38 league goals as the club was promoted to League Two after winning the National League.

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