Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Paul Woolston, has revealed that an injury sent him to an early retirement. This is the first time he is making the reason public since quitting active football.
The 23-year-old announced his retirement from competitive football on March 23, 2022, due to a hip injury.
In an interview with BBC Sports, Woolston noted that his decision was based on his physical well-being and that his health would have been affected if he continued playing.
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"I completely zoned out. Is he talking about me? Is this real? Surely this is wrong? It can't be me. It can't be right. The advice of the specialists was that if I continued for another two years, my way of life would be totally different, that I would struggle to walk.
“It would be a full hip replacement at the age of 25. From there it is a long road. It was simple things like, if I am lucky to have kids in the future, I didn't want to say: 'Sorry, I can't do it because I have ruined my hip’,” Woolston noted.
The retired goalkeeper was keen to laud Manchester United for supporting him during the trying period in his career.
"I am pleased the topic of mental health is out there now. The club have been brilliant in what they have been able to offer and the guidance they have given. Having that support has made the last 12 to 14 months much easier," he added.
He noted that if it were a few years ago, the Red Devils would have removed his name from the team. However, he was given time to plan his life after football.
Woolston, who still wants to be active in football, is currently undertaking coaching classes as he targets UEFA coaching badges.
Before his retirement, the 23-year-old featured for England at the Under-17 World Cup and was a regular for United's U23s in the Premier League 2.