Ex-Man Utd ace Woolston recalls retiring aged just 23 - "Surely it's a mix up"

"It's that sense of disbelief, and as if it's not right - 'he can't be talking about me, surely the notes have been mixed up', you kind of don't listen to what's been said," Paul Woolston explains, as he recalls the precise moment he was told his dream was over.

The young goalkeeper already knew a thing or two about set-backs. Having been released from three clubs and two academies, many would regard it as remarkable that the shot-stopper made it to the dizzy heights of Manchester United in the first place.

Clearly one to willingly battle against the odds, sadly not even Woolston could overcome the chronic hip injury that curtailed his playing career. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Sport, he elaborated on the moment he was told he'd played professional football for the last time.

He said: "You go in not expecting it and it hits you full on which to be fair it has to be done like that. Then you just zone out and you see the lips moving but nothing is cementing in your head, it took ages for it to sink in what the actual situation was."

Multiple operations could not salvage Woolston's career, one that had seen him play for Premier League giants like the Red Devils and Newcastle United at youth level, while also representing England at youth level.

Now 24, Woolston is surprisingly upbeat when reminiscing about his time at United and his career in general. "I wouldn't have changed anything that I did on the pitch because I enjoyed every moment of being lucky enough to be in football for as long as I did," he admitted.

"I've played it since I was born and it's been 20-odd years' worth of hard-work and sacrifice but I don't have any regrets over anything - I leave it all out there."

HAVE YOUR SAY! Is there enough in place for players forced out of the game early? Comment below

For a long time, there has been concerns over whether elite-level football clubs have enough structures in place to help young players who, for one reason or another, will not graduate to first-team stardom. That is no issue over at United, according to Woolston, who insists the club couldn't do enough for him.

"I feel like I was fortunate enough to be at Manchester United where they have got great facilities and great people working behind the scenes who don't get enough credit really," he added.

"They helped me and gave me the opportunity to try and get fit, fit for life not just to return to the pitch which was a challenge in itself. If I was at a different club I wouldn't have had that opportunity I don't think so I don't know - clubs are changing."

He also explained how United have offered to allow Woolston the chance to explore the inner-workings of a club he spent four years of his career at.

"The club said 'whenever you want to come in and spend some time with us, see a different side to it and experience some different things so I still speak to a few of the staff. The connection is still there which is nice."

Woolston did concede that after announcing his retirement before the conclusion of last season, not having any pre-season training to report for really hit home.

"I found it hard the first time I didn't have to turn up for pre-season, you know that first drive in," the former Three Lions youth star explained. "It is more the social side of it, every day seeing the same faces, seeing the lads and the backroom staff, just being amongst it and being out on the grass to get ready for the game on Saturday.

"It was my ninth year of having pre-season and it was weird, you get yourself into this routine and think you'll have another 15 years of it. It is just missing the whole experience, the camaraderie."

He was heartened by the initial response that his retirement was met with, as plenty of United's household names were quick to get in touch to extend their well-wishes: "I've been in touch with a few of the 23s, we try to play golf or go out for a meal whenever we can.

"I keep in touch with Lee Grant and stuff, it's brilliant. The first-team - Scott [McTominay], Harry [Maguire], David [De Gea] during the process when the news was coming out they offered us support and said they were here whenever I need which was nice because they didn't have to do it."

As the biggest chapter of Woolston's life to date comes to an end, he remains optimistic over what the future holds. "There's a few things in the fire, we'll see what is coming but it is quite an exciting time actually to see what the future holds."

One thing is for certain - the next stage is will involve the beautiful game in some capacity. "I can't walk away from football, I just can't - it is all I've known since I was little, I had to make a choice at 15 whether I wanted to play football or cricket and I chose football, that passion is still there.

"Maybe when I'm older I could [walk away], but for now it is all I know and all I am passionate about."