02 August 2023 , 17:47
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Manchester United starlet Nathan Bishop has left the club for Sunderland - just weeks after signing a new contract and then accidentally injuring Wrexham star Paul Mullin.
The goalkeeper has bid farewell to Old Trafford on a permanent basis. The Black Cats have paid an undisclosed amount for his signature and he has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking after the move was made official, Bishop said: “You see the direction that the Club is going, playing young players and allowing them to express themselves and push on in a great league. I think that is so exciting, so I want to come in and earn the right to play for such a great team and a great Club.”
Bishop’s United exit is the latest chapter in what has been a dramatic summer for the 23-year-old. His previous Red Devils’ contract was set to expire this summer, only for the club to activate an additional one-year option in the deal.
Bishop was then handed a place in the United squad for their pre-season tour to the USA. However, it did not go as planned during a friendly against newly-promoted Wrexham.
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The goalkeeper produced a horrendous challenge on Wrexham star Mullin, which left the striker needing hospital treatment for a punctured lung. He penned an emotional apology in social media shortly after the incident whilst former United keeper Ben Foster had sympathy for the youngster.
Paul Mullin was left with a punctured lung as a result of Nathan Bishop's challenge (Getty Images)What do you make of Man Utd's transfer business so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “I feel so bad for Nathan, he’s absolutely heartbroken. I passed Paul’s number onto Nathan so he can get in touch with him but, yeah, he’s absolutely gutted. I feel for the lad.”
Bishop might well be counting his lucky stars that former Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson is no longer in situ at the Stadium of Light. He had a year’s spell with the club but was sacked in November 2020 before returning to the dugout with Wrexham in July 2021.
He led the Welsh side to the playoffs in his first season before eventually getting them promoted to the Football League last term. Parkinson was left furious with Bishop’s challenge on Mullin.
Speaking after the incident, he 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. 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."
Bishop has a task on his hands dislodging Sunderland’s regular number one Anthony Patterson. The Black Cats kick off their Championship campaign against newly-promoted Ipswich on home soil this weekend.