Man United vs Wrexham: Three former United youngsters set for reunion

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The Peoples Person

18 July 2026

Manchester United will take on Wrexham A.F.C. later this afternoon in Helsinki, Finland.

The match is significant as it is Manchester United’s first pre-season match of the new season.

Wrexham are a fascinating opponent owing to their rapid rise up the football league.

The Welsh side were famously taken over by Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

They won the National League in 2023 and achieved an incredible three promotions on the bounce to rise to the second tier of English football.

Wrexham were also unlucky last season not to reach the playoffs, finishing seventh, one position below the required sixth place to enter the post-season matches.

The Red Devils have had numerous players represent Wrexham, and one of the most famous was Mickey Thomas.

Current

Manchester United

keeper

Tom Heaton

started life in Wrexham’s academy before joining Manchester United’s as a youngster.

David Jones, Ben Foster, and Ritchie De Laet have also represented both teams.

The

club’s official website

has confirmed that, “former United Academy men

Matty James

, Ollie Rathbone and

Sam Smith

are set to play” for The Red Dragons.

Matty James left

in 2012 after joining Leicester City, where he spent nine years. He has played the last two seasons with Wrexham.

Rathbone left Carrington in 2016, joining Blackburn Rovers. He signed for Wrexham in 2024.

Finally,

left Manchester United’s academy in 2014 for Reading’s. He played for numerous teams across the football league before signing for the

Welsh

side in 2025.

The match will kick off at 16:00 BST.

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