Blog

‘We all feel really sorry for him’: David De Gea pay tribute to Man United goalkeeper after he is forced to ‘devastating’ retirement

Published

10 months ago

March 7, 2024

24hoursoccernews

Paul Woolston had surgery twice in two months in March and April last year

Man United confirmed he has been forced to retire despite lengthy rehab period

Woolston joined United in 2018 and made 19 Premier League 2 appearances

But David de Gea and Dean Henderson are among those to have paid tribute

Manchester United goalkeepers have rallied around Paul Woolston after the U23 shotstopper was forced into retirement at the age of only 23.

In a statement on the club’s official website, United confirmed Woolston’s decision to hang up his boots following a ‘significant determination to return to fitness, including two operations and a lengthy rehabilitation period.’

Woolston – who went under the knife twice in two months in March and April last year – made 19 Premier League 2 appearances for the reserves after joining the club on a free transfer in 2018, having left their Newcastle counterparts.

Man United’s Paul Woolston has been forced into early retirement at the age of only 23

View gallery

Man United’s Paul Woolston has been forced into early retirement at the age of only 23

Woolston made 19 Premier League 2 appearances for the reserves after joining in 2018

View gallery

Woolston made 19 Premier League 2 appearances for the reserves after joining in 2018

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Woolston (@paulhw_)

United did not specify what sort of injury had forced him into early retirement but transfermarkt claim Woolston has been suffering from a hip problem.

But the club’s first-team goalkeepers – including No 1 David de Gea and understudy Dean Henderson – have paid tribute to Woolston, with the Spaniard revealing he spoke to him about the bigger picture.

‘Well, it’s always bad when someone has to retire at a young age,’ De Gea said. ‘I’ve spoken with him, the other day, and said to him that the most important thing is life, more than football, in terms of a proper life.

‘It was sad. I have been training with him, when he was fit, and it’s very sad news. I wish him all the best. He’s a great lad, a great goalkeeper and we all feel really sorry for him.

Manchester United and Arsenal icons Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira become the ninth and 10th inductees into Premier League’s Hall of Fame… joining the likes of Beckham, Gerrard and Henry

Manchester United star Paul Pogba reveals his World Cup winner’s medal was among the items stolen when his home was burgled last week while his two children slept in their bedrooms

In a tell-all interview that will stun Man United, an emotional Paul Pogba SURELY calls time on second turbulent stint at Old Trafford as he lists the reasons why his £89m move has failed so miserably

Gary Neville throws his support behind Mauricio Pochettino to become the next Manchester United manager over Erik ten Hag but admits the Ajax boss is the ‘massive favourite’ among supporters to take the position

Share this article

The shot stopper went under the knife twice in two months in March and April last year

View gallery

The shot stopper went under the knife twice in two months in March and April last year

But the likes of David de Gea (centre) have rallied around him following his early retirement

View gallery

But the likes of David de Gea (centre) have rallied around him following his early retirement

‘I trained with him and he had a very good left foot, I remember, and it’s sad for him and for the club. But, as I said before, I was speaking with him and, first of all, it’s life and being in good conditions to have a good life.

‘Of course, in life, sometimes problems happen and things happen. You have to keep looking forward, keep fighting and that is what life means. Like I say, I wish him all the best.’

Meanwhile, United No 2 said the news was ‘devastating’ and praised his technical abilities, and believes he is in a good place to take a step in a different direction.

‘It’s devastating for himself and for all of us around him,’ Henderson said. ‘He was a great guy to work with throughout the age groups. When I was in the younger age groups, I even remember playing against him when he was at Newcastle.

‘But he’s a very clever guy and that will stand him in good stead. I wasn’t aware of the news until recently due to Covid bubbles and people not seeing each other and it’s something that has been kept under wraps.

Woolston (second from right) joined United on a free after leaving Newcastle’s U23 side

View gallery

Woolston (second from right) joined United on a free after leaving Newcastle’s U23 side

‘He’s a good lad who knows what he wants. He knew what he wanted when he was a player. He was such a technically gifted goalkeeper as well so it’s such a shame to lose him at such a young age. Going forward, I’m sure he’ll put his drive into something else and it will set him in good stead.’

Third and fourth-choice goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Lee Grant also spoke glowingly of Woolston to the club’s website.

Speaking after his retirement, Woolston said: ‘To have to retire at just 23 has been really tough to come to terms with but I feel a lot more positive now.]

‘I am really proud of everything that I have achieved, many people dream of playing football at this level. Of course, I would have loved to have gone on further but it has been an absolute honour to represent Manchester United during my time here.

He was the third-choice goalkeeper at Newcastle when they won the Championship in 2016-17

View gallery

He was the third-choice goalkeeper at Newcastle when they won the Championship in 2016-17

‘The support of my family, friends, team-mates, coaches, the medical staff and entire Manchester United academy has been phenomenal. Everyone has played a major part in my journey by keeping my spirits up, allowing me to reflect positively on my playing experiences and begin to look to the future.

‘Right now, I am fully focused on the next stage of my career. I am ready to use all of my learnings, resilience, drive and determination to make a real success of my life.’

Woolston’s career began when he joined Sunderland aged 10, before he made the move to rivals Newcastle in 2015, where he was third-choice keeper during their Championship-winning season in 2016-17.

The 23-year-old also represented England up until U18s level, travelling with his country to the U17s European Championship and U17s World Cup.

He also went on loan to various clubs in the north east of the country, namely Gateshead, Darlington, Blyth Spartans and South Shields.

Woolston’s career began when he joined Sunderland, before moving to the Magpies in 2015

View gallery

Woolston’s career began when he joined Sunderland, before moving to the Magpies in 2015

Manchester United and Arsenal icons Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira become the ninth and 10th inductees into Premier League’s Hall of Fame… joining the likes of Beckham, Gerrard and Henry

Manchester United star Paul Pogba reveals his World Cup winner’s medal was among the items stolen when his home was burgled last week while his two children slept in their bedrooms

Share this article

Dean Henderson

Premier League

Transfers

Man Utd goalkeeper Paul Woolston forced to retire | Manchester United

www.transfermark…

Share or comment on this article: David De Gea and Dean Henderson pay tribute to Man United Under 23 goalkeeper Paul Woolston

49k

47 comments

Home

Showbiz

Femail

Sport

MOST WATCHED SPORT VIDEOS 1 / 3

Aaron Rodgers hits a bullseye as he shoots a bow for the first time

Jeremy Clarkson waves black and white flag to mark the end of race

‘I beat you everyday and twice on Sunday’ – Ngannou to Fury

Ryan Garcia speaks after video claiming he was dead appeared…

Dillian Whyte ‘cleared to resume boxing career’

Manchester City fan arrested during derby for ‘tragedy chanting’

Moment Spencer Leniu allegedly calls Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’

Darts Sensation Luke Littler turns his hand to acting in TV advert

Trespassers break into LA Clippers’ new $2 billion arena

Tearful Jason Kelce announces retirement from the NFL

Mike Dean admits Paul Tierney made ‘monumental error’

Disturbing video claims boxer Ryan Garcia has been killed

DON’T MISS

THE NOTEBOOK: Erling Haaland proves one defender’s Kryptonite once again while Manuel Akanji delivers perfect riposte to Man City trolls

Vinicius Jr escapes red card after shoving RB Leipzig player in the throat before scoring goal to fire Real Madrid into Champions League quarter-finals

The Hand of Cedric! West Brom defender Kipre denies QPR with a save on the line… but goes unpunished as official miss the blatant handball without VAR

Francis Ngannou tells Tyson Fury ‘I’ll beat you every day and twice on Sunday!’ in heated encounter ahead of clash with Anthony Joshua in Riyadh

Alan Shearer names his ideal England front six for Euro 2024 and says Gareth Southgate should play Harry Kane at No 10 with Ollie Watkins starting up top