Anthony Elanga leads tributes to Paul Woolston after retirement

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Manchester United goalkeeper Paul Woolston has been forced to retire from football due to injury at the age of just 23.

A year ago, Woolston underwent the first of two injuries on an unspecified injury and he has been unable to fully recover.

The stopper retires without making his senior Red Devils debut, having spent his time at Old Trafford representing the Under 23 side.

David de Gea and Dean Henderson have paid their own tributes to Woolston in the wake of the news, which must have been the result of a frustrating and agonizing process.

And some of United’s young starlets have reacted to the news on Instagram, including Anthony Elanga, who has of course been fortunate enough to make the leap to the first team.

That would have been Woolston’s dream too but injuries have prevented him doing so, as he embarks on the next stage of his life.

Tom Heaton told club media: “It’s very difficult. It’s a tough moment. It can’t be nice when you reach that point where you’re having to retire. From everything I hear about him as a lad, that he’ll move on to pastures new and transition into whatever he goes into next well.

“He’s got support from the entire football club, especially the goalkeeping department, and obviously I wish him all the best. I’m sure he’ll be absolutely fine moving forward, with whatever he decides to do.”

Lee Grant added: “I’ve been so impressed with Paul. Obviously the news he’s had is terrible and it’s probably the news that all of us as professionals, who rely on our bodies, probably fear the most.

“Me and Paul had a good relationship prior to this so we’ve managed to speak a little bit about how he’s thinking and feeling moving forward. I’ve been so, so impressed with how he’s carried himself across all of it.

“That’s obviously credit to who he is as a person, his outlook on things, so I’ve no doubt that he’s going to be fine whatever he goes on to do next. Of course for him in this moment it’s difficult. Certainly he has the characteristics in terms of his personality to be able to deal with it.”

Like United’s players, we wish Woolston with his next stage after what must have been a difficult decision to come to.