Fuming Phil Parkinson tells Man United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop to ‘steer clear’ of his Wrexham side after his ‘reckless and clumsy’ tackle punctured star striker Paul Mullin’s lung in pre-season clash

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was left furious after his star striker Paul Mullin suffered a punctured lung following a sickening challenge from Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop in their pre-season friendly in San Diego.

Bishop was named in goal for a youthful Red Devils side, but made a disastrous start to the game when his late challenge in the 11th minute left Mullin in a heap on the floor.

After receiving treatment for several minutes, Mullin had to be helped off the pitch while wearing an oxygen mask and it was later revealed he had suffered significant damage to his lung. 

Speaking after the game, Parkinson slammed Bishop’s tackle, and warned the 23-year-old he was in no mood to listen to any apologies.

‘I’m fuming about it. It was a clumsy, reckless challenge in a pre-season game and I’m not happy with it at all. I haven’t seen the goalie and he’s probably best steering clear of us for the time being,’ Parkinson said.

Wrexham star Paul Mullin needed to be helped from the pitch after suffering a punctured lung 

The worrying injury came after a heavy challenge from Man United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was furious with the tackle, labelling it ‘clumsy and reckless’

Bishop somehow escaped a red card for his tackle, but was booed by the capacity crowd at the Snapdragon Stadium for the rest of the half before he was substituted at the break.

He later took to Twitter to issue an apology to Mullin.

‘Just wanted to share my sincerest apologies to @PMullin7 A complete misjudgement and a genuine accident with 0 malicious intent at all!’ he wrote.

‘Wishing you the speediest recovery and hope to see you back scoring goals as soon as possible!’

It was not the impression Bishop would have liked to have left, having struggled for opportunities at United since joining the club in January 2020.

He has never made a senior competitive appearance for the Red Devils, and that looks unlikely to change after his latest showing.

After the challenge on Mullin, Bishop went on to concede twice in the first 45 minutes, although he had little chance of saving either goal, with Elliot Lee and Aaron Hayden both netting from close range.

Bishop apologised to Mullin on Twitter after the match, wishing him a speedy recovery

United did pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time through teenager Marc Jurado, shortly before Bishop was removed from the action.

The Premier League club had the worst possible start to the second half when captain Dan Gore was shown a straight red card for a studs-up tackle, and Wrexham took full advantage as substitute Sam Dalby scored to wrap up a 3-1 win. 

Bishop’s nightmare evening could be his final appearance for United as he has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer.

Championship side Sunderland recently opened talks with United over a potential deal for the shot-stopper.