Ryan Reynolds shows true colours in message to player who injured Paul Mullin

28 July 2023 , 15:50

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Paul Mullin of Wrexham suffered a punctured lung during the pre-season friendly match against Manchester United (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds contacted the Manchester United goalkeeper who injured Wrexham talisman Paul Mullin to offer an olive branch.

The Red Dragons forward is likely to miss the start of the season after suffering a punctured lung as the result of a challenge from opposition stopper Nathan Bishop during the third leg of the club's US tour. The 28-year-old was substituted early on in the 3-1 victory over the Premier League giants, with the Red Devils back-up having been given a yellow card following the incident.

After Mullin was set through on goal following a punt upfield, the onrushing Bishop collided with the striker, leaving him writhing in pain on the floor. Eventually, the stricken ace had to be helped off the pitch, with oxygen also having been required as medical staff assessed his injuries as a result of the clash.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was scathing in his post-match interview as emotions ran high after the game, with the former Sunderland boss having called the 23-year-old goalkeeper out for his role in the coming together. He told reporters that he felt the opposition player should have been dismissed, calling the challenge "dangerous".

He said: "It is a real blow for us, you can’t hide away from that. I thought it was a clumsy challenge from the goalkeeper and it should have been a straight red.

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"If you add the two scenarios together, he should have been off the pitch. It was a dangerous challenge and Mulls is our talisman. I’m fuming with it, I have to be honest about that. It was a clumsy, reckless challenge in a pre-season game. I can’t say any more than the fact I’m not happy with it at all."

After wishing Mullin a "speedy recovery" on his social media platforms, it had appeared that movie megastar Reynolds was not best pleased with Bishop's role in the incident. He made reference to the goalkeeper when posted a tongue-in-cheek message following his meeting with Rishi Sunak, joking: "Rob [McElhenney] would have joined but he’s currently having a word with Man Utd’s youth team goalie."

Wrexham chairman Ryan Reynolds met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to discuss the film industry as well as business in the field moving to Wales (Ryan Reynolds/ Instagram)

However, it appears that the "Deadpool" actor has maintained a level head surrounding the incident privately and this is best demonstrated by the fact that he even got in touch with Bishop following the incident personally. Sending a message to the goalkeeper, he even praised the Manchester United player for his conduct during the fall-out from the game.

With Mullin himself seemingly holding no grudges following the challenge, Bishop did get in contact with the injured striker, while also issuing an apology for his role in the incident. Now it has emerged that megastar Reynolds subsequently messaged the former England youth international to praise him for how he has handed the issue, while also wishing him well moving forward.

Wrexham are now preparing to take on Philadelphia Union II on the final date of their US tour in what will likely be an emotional homecoming for club chairman and "It's Always Sunny" writer McElhenney. From there, a first League Two clash in 15 years beckons against MK Dons.

Tom Beattie