15 August 2023 , 17:36
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Wrexham striker Paul Mullin thought he was going to die after colliding with now former Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop in pre-season.
The Red Dragons beat United 3-1 in a historic clash at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego this summer, but they struggled to enjoy the victory after their star striker was taken straight to hospital in the first half. Bishop came flying out of his area and caught Mullin dangerously, and oxygen was brought out as he struggled to breathe as a result of the impact.
Mullin suffered a punctured lung and has been resting in the United States since, as he's been told not to travel home until he's in a fit state. Mullin is comfortable in an apartment sorted by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but at the time of the incident he was concerned that he may not make it.
"I was trying to breathe in but nothing was happening. I couldn’t get air into my lungs," Mullin wrote in The Athletic. "That’s when I knew it was bad. In that struggle for breath, with my lips turning blue, I accepted that this could be it for me.
"That’s how it felt. I couldn’t breathe properly for a few minutes. I was thinking about my little boy, Albi. I hate being away from him and my partner Mollie for too long but I had told myself it was only two weeks and that I’d be back home soon. It ended up being much longer, but I’m so thankful it wasn’t worse."
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Mullin has since been reflecting on the incident, trying to piece together his memory after such a traumatic experience. "I remember, a few seconds earlier, getting my head to the ball and then going down," Mullin added.
"For someone like me who will do that kind of thing again and again, being winded is something I’m used to. It usually lasts around 10 seconds and is never nice. Only this time I couldn’t shake it. After a collision with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop during a friendly, in the aptly named Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, my lung punctured from the impact and I fractured four ribs."
Nathan Bishop collided with Mullin outside the area (2023 Getty Images)
Mullin was escorted off with an oxygen mask and sent to hospital (2023 AMA Sports Photo Agency)Mullin was of course okay, and will be welcomed back in the near future by Wrexham who have made a stumbling start to life in League Two. Wrexham lost their first game of the league season 5-3 and then drew 1-1 to AFC Wimbledon the following week.
Wrexham beat Wigan Athletic on penalties in the first round of the Carabao Cup, but to stand the best chance in any competition they'll need Mullin back. His health is the most important factor though, and he thanked the medical professionals for getting him through a tough moment.
"Thanks to the amazing medical staff who got me through it on the pitch and at UC San Diego Health, the hospital I was taken to, I am now very much on the mend," Mullin said. "I spent 13 hours on oxygen before being discharged. One of our physios, Ryan, was with me all night."