Manchester United beaten by Wrexham in first game of pre-season as summer signing makes debut

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18 July 2026

Red Devils were second best in Scandinavia as season started in defeat

Manchester United

were beaten

1-0

in their opening game of pre-season by

Wrexham

in Helsinki, Finland.

Michael Carrick was taking charge of his first game since being appointed as the club’s permanent head coach this summer, after a successful second spell as caretaker.

United were downed by Sam Smith’s first-half goal just before half time, as the former Reading striker tapped home from close range after good work from Lewis O’Brien down the left flank, getting to the byline and fizzing a low cross across the six-yard box.

The Red Devils’ centre-backs Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire were caught napping as Smith stole in unmarked and prodded in what proved to be the winner past Tom Heaton.

Andrey Santos

United’s new £48million summer signing

, was handed a first start in his new colours, but he had a quiet first 45 minutes in a United shirt, starting next to his fellow former

Chelsea

man Mason Mount in the double pivot of Carrick’s 4-2-3-1.

Bruno Fernandes was not in the squad, one of many United representatives afforded more time off following the conclusion of their respective World Cup campaigns, and

that was the case with the latest £35m recruit Youri Tielemans

, whose

signing was confirmed earlier this week

Karl Darlow, United’s second arrival, was also not in the travelling cohort as a result of a minor operation on an undisclosed injury, and

Benjamin Sesko was kept back as well with his shin injury that curtailed his end to last season

The Red Devils insist that the pair will be fit for the start of the league campaign.

Carrick will not be too pleased with his side ‘s performance in either half, with a fresh XI taking to the Olympic Stadium pitch in the second period, consisting of U21 and U18 prospects.

In the first half, the recognised first-team fixtures that had not had World Cup call-ups, the likes of Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire (famously) and Mount, while those whose countries hadn’t made it, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, were also handed starts.

United, who finished third in the Premier League under Carrick last term, failed to really stir up any kind of excitement in their play, but more will be expected of them as they progress through pre-season.

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