After being taken out by rookie goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, Wrexham striker Paul Mullin had to be removed from the field with an oxygen mask and transported immediately to hospital during their pre-season game against Manchester United.

Bishop clashed with the 28-year-old after misjudging the flight of the ball, causing the game to be stopped for seven minutes. After 13 minutes, Bishop flew out of his zone and connected with Mullin with great force.

As the striker remained down, a stretcher was immediately brought onto the pitch, and he was promptly given oxygen as he was surrounded by medics. Bishop received a yellow card for the heinous challenge, but he was fortunate to remain on the pitch.

Fortunately, Mullin was able to leave the field with his oxygen mask still connected before being replaced by Billy Waters. He was nonetheless transferred to a nearby hospital for further examinations, and manager Phil Parkinson later confirmed he had a perforated lung.

Parkinson said: “I mean, listen, Mulls has got a small puncture in his lung, he’s in hospital at the moment.

“But it’s a clumsy challenge from the goalkeeper and, for me, there’s no need to make it. It’s a straight red. The reason it’s a straight red, and even if the ref said to me that maybe there’s a covering defender, it’s a dangerous challenge.

“If you add those two situations up, he should’ve been off the pitch. Listen, it’s a massive blow for us to lose Paul. He’s an outstanding player.”

Bishop was booed by the fans whenever he touched the ball at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego after the incident. He was replaced at half-time by Radek Vitek among wholesale changes made by both teams.

“It’s reckless, its dangerous, doesn’t get anywhere near the ball,” co-commentator Stewart Robson said on ESPN when reviewing the awful challenge.

Wrexham will be hoping Mullin’s injury doesn’t rule him out for too long. He scored 38 goals in 46 National League games last season, and scored a brace in their 3-1 win over Boreham Wood which sealed promotion.

The striker joined Wrexham in July 2021, becoming the main striker under new owners Reynolds and McElhenney. Mullin has also been one of the main stars of the hit series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, becoming a global icon due to his popularity.

Mullin has experience in League Two, and rejected a new contract with Cambridge United to sign for Wrexham. Fans were puzzled when Mullin dropped down divisions at the age of just 26, but his decision appears to be a stroke of genius two years later.

Wrexham’s pre-season began with a 5-0 loss to Chelsea to begin off their maiden trip of the United States. However, they quickly responded with a 4-0 win over LA Galaxy II before traveling to San Diego to face United.

Mullin’s injury was quickly followed by two goals, as Elliot Lee became the first player this preseason to score against United, before Aaron Hayden added a second. Marc Jurado cut the score in half right before halftime, but Dan Gore was sent off for another strong challenge shortly after.

Wrexham won 3-1 to hand United their first pre-season setback, despite the fact that none of their first-team players were present. United have won without surrendering a goal and face Real Madrid in Houston just 24 hours later.