MANCHESTER UNITED are furious with Wrexham following Phil Parkinson’s raging attack on Nathan Bishop.
The Red Dragons’ manager unleashed a tirade after the 23-year-old goalkeeper collided with Paul Mullin early in their pre-season clash in San Diego.
Mullin suffered a punctured lung and had to be rushed to hospital on oxygen, just 11 days before the Welsh side begin their League Two campaign.
Bishop was booked then booed by Wrexham fans in California and was subbed off at half-time.
But afterwards, a livid Parkinson escalated the situation as he piled in on Bishop.
United believe the foul by their young stopper was an honest mistake.
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He tried to apologise to Mullin through Wrexham staff and then posted a message on Twitter.
But the Red Devils are now fearful Parkinson’s comments will trigger social media abuse for Bishop – especially if Mullin misses a significant chunk of the season.
Parkinson said: “I’m fuming about it, I’ve got to be honest with you. 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 because we’re not very happy.
“It should have been a straight red. If it’s not denying a goal-scoring opportunity it’s still a dangerous challenge so if you add the two scenarios together he should have been off the pitch.
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“It’s a dangerous challenge and obviously Paul Mullin is our talisman. The way the lads responded after that I thought was outstanding. That’s what we’re all about as a group – resilience, sticking together.”
United Under-21s manager Travis Binnion tried to defend Bishop for the challenge.
Binnion said: “It’s part and parcel of the game, nobody wants to see anyone get injured. He’s made an honest challenge, he’s come off worse. He’s already reached out to him.
“Booing him, it is what it is. He’s tried to reach out. He’s a great lad Bish, he hasn’t got a bad bone in his body.”
Mullin updated fans with a thumbs-up selfie and a positive message from hospital, writing: “Thanks for all your messages! All good here!”
Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds later praised his No10, adding: “Paul Mullin puts his last drop of blood into everything he does. The entire Wrexham community is pulling for a speedy recovery.”
It was a torrid evening for United’s youngsters as Dan Gore was sent off for a studs-up slide tackle in the 3-1 defeat to the Red Dragons.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
