Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds demonstrated a commendable level of sportsmanship by privately messaging Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop following a serious injury sustained by Wrexham striker Paul Mullin during a 2023 pre-season friendly. The match, which Wrexham ultimately won 3-1, was marred by the incident involving Mullin and Bishop.

The Injury Incident

The collision occurred when Bishop, the Manchester United goalkeeper, rushed off his line to intercept a ball as Paul Mullin broke through on goal. The encounter resulted in Mullin suffering a punctured lung. Medical personnel attended to Mullin on the pitch, providing oxygen before he was transported to a hospital for further treatment. A visibly distressed Bishop subsequently reached out to Mullin to offer his apologies.

Reynolds’s Supportive Gesture

Although Ryan Reynolds was not present at the game, he was made aware of the incident and Bishop’s subsequent apology. Reports later revealed that Reynolds, as a co-owner of Wrexham, personally contacted the Manchester United goalkeeper. In this private message, Reynolds commended Bishop on how he handled the difficult situation and extended well wishes for his future.

Humor Amidst Seriousness

A few days after the event, Reynolds addressed the incident with a touch of humor while speaking with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the set of the film ‘Deadpool 3’. He remarked on his fondness for filming in the UK and his hope for increased film production in Wales. Reynolds light-heartedly suggested that his fellow Wrexham co-owner, Rob McElhenney, would be discussing the matter with Bishop, stating, “Rob would have joined but he’s currently having a word with Man United’s youth team goalie.” This comment highlighted Reynolds’s ability to find levity even in a challenging circumstance.

Wrexham Manager’s Reaction

In contrast to Reynolds’s approach, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expressed strong disapproval of Bishop’s challenge. Parkinson described the tackle as “reckless” and “clumsy,” even going as far as to suggest that the goalkeeper should avoid Wrexham in future encounters. This firm stance was understandable given Mullin’s critical importance to the Wrexham squad.

Paul Mullin’s Significance to Wrexham

Paul Mullin has been a pivotal figure for Wrexham, particularly during their ascent through the football leagues. Between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons, Mullin was exceptionally prolific, scoring 105 goals in 140 appearances. His contributions were instrumental in Wrexham’s promotion campaigns, solidifying his reputation as one of the club’s all-time great goalscorers.

However, Mullin’s scoring record saw a decline following Wrexham’s promotion to League One. In the 2024/25 campaign, he managed only five goals in 32 matches across all competitions. After Wrexham’s subsequent promotion to the Championship in 2025, Mullin was loaned out. He spent time with Wigan Athletic and, in the latter half of the 2025/26 season, with Bradford City, where he failed to score in nine appearances.

Nathan Bishop’s Career Trajectory

For Nathan Bishop, the incident marked a difficult period in his career. He never made a senior appearance for Manchester United before departing the club shortly after the friendly. Bishop then joined Sunderland, then in the Championship, but his time there was also limited, with only two appearances for the Wearside club.

His career continued with loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United. It was during his move to AFC Wimbledon in the 2025/26 season that the 26-year-old goalkeeper finally secured a consistent run of first-team football, his first extended period of play since a loan spell at Mansfield Town during the 2021/22 season.

Wrexham’s Near Play-off Success

Wrexham narrowly missed out on a Championship play-off spot in the 2025/26 season, finishing seventh and just two points adrift of Hull City. Hull City went on to secure promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs. This near miss meant Wrexham did not have the opportunity for further pre-season or competitive meetings with Manchester United in the immediate future.

The incident, while unfortunate, highlighted the camaraderie and sportsmanship that can exist within professional football, with Ryan Reynolds’s private message to Nathan Bishop serving as a notable example of support in the face of adversity.