Manchester United’s goalkeepers meet Paul Woolston the day after youngster announces retirement

Manchester United goalkeepers including number one David De Gea have posed alongside U23 shot-stopper Paul Woolston for a touching picture taken the day after the youngster announced he had been forced to retire.

Woolston, who has quit the sport due to injury problems, met De Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton and Lee Grant at United’s Carrington training ground.

In a statement on Wednesday, 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.’ 

Manchester United goalkeepers posed with Paul Woolston after he announced his retirement

The 23-year-old has been forced to hang up his gloves because of injury problems

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.   

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. 

His decision to hang up his gloves elicited a sympathetic response from his fellow United goalkeepers, with De Gea saying it was ‘very sad news’.

‘Well, it’s always bad when someone has to retire at a young age,’ the Spaniard 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.’

David De Gea (right) is among those to have paid touching tributes to Woolston

United’s number two Dean Henderson, and 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.’