Andrey Santos included: The 22-year-old Brazilian is part of a 25-man squad travelling to Helsinki for his potential Manchester United debut after joining from Chelsea.
Benjamin Sesko absent: The Slovenian striker remains at Carrington working on full fitness after missing the final three games of last season with a shin injury.
Mixed squad selected: Senior players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Joshua Zirkzee feature alongside academy prospects including Harry Amass and Shea Lacey.
Wrexham also missing key men: Josh Windass (calf) and Max Cleworth (Achilles) are not travelling to Finland as they manage ongoing fitness issues.
Opportunity for youth: Sesko's absence opens the door for young forwards Chidi Obi and Ethan Wheatley to feature against the League One side.
Manchester United's pre-season preparations continue with a trip to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium to face Wrexham, a fixture that offers both sides valuable minutes ahead of the new campaign. For United, all eyes are on Andrey Santos, the Brazilian midfielder who became Michael Carrick's first marquee signing upon arriving from Chelsea earlier this week.
Santos, who spent time on loan at Strasbourg and Nottingham Forest during his Chelsea tenure, has been training at Carrington throughout the week and is expected to see game time in Finland. His arrival for a fee that could reach £50 million signals United's intent to strengthen their midfield core under Carrick's stewardship.
The 25-man travelling party blends established first-team regulars with emerging academy talent. Harry Maguire, Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, and Joshua Zirkzee provide the experienced backbone, while youngsters Harry Amass, Shea Lacey, Jaydan Kamason, Jacob Devaney, Dan Gore, Jim Thwaites, and the Fletcher brothers — Tyler and Jack — are also in contention.
Benjamin Sesko's absence is notable. The Slovenian striker, who joined United with high expectations, is still building towards full fitness after a shin injury cut short his previous season. His continued rehabilitation opens up minutes for Chidi Obi and Ethan Wheatley in the forward positions.
In goal, new signing Karl Darlow did not travel, leaving veteran Tom Heaton to lead the goalkeeping unit alongside Radek Vitek and Dermot Mee.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson provided an update on his own absentees. Josh Windass is managing a calf problem, while Max Cleworth is dealing with a persistent Achilles issue. Parkinson downplayed concerns, stating: "We're where we need to be in terms of fitness. There'll be a few who aren't quite ready for the game at the weekend and will be training here instead."
The League One side heads to the United States next week for friendlies against Leeds, Liverpool, and Sunderland, making this Helsinki fixture a crucial final tune-up before that tour.
Why this matters: Pre-season friendlies like this one serve as vital preparation, but for United supporters, the opportunity to see Santos in action for the first time offers a glimpse into the club's evolving midfield identity under Carrick. For Wrexham, managing fitness ahead of a demanding pre-season tour is the priority.
When and where is the Manchester United vs Wrexham friendly?
The match takes place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Helsinki, Finland.
Will Andrey Santos make his Manchester United debut?
Santos has been included in the travelling squad and has trained at Carrington all week, making his debut highly likely against Wrexham.
Why is Benjamin Sesko not playing?
Sesko is still recovering from a shin injury that caused him to miss the final three games of last season. He is working towards full fitness at Carrington.
Which senior Manchester United players are in the squad?
Harry Maguire, Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, and Joshua Zirkzee are among the first-team regulars travelling.
Are there any Wrexham absentees?
Yes, Josh Windass (calf) and Max Cleworth (Achilles) have not travelled to Helsinki as they manage ongoing fitness issues.
For Manchester United fans: Watch for Andrey Santos's integration into the squad. His performances in pre-season will indicate how Carrick plans to utilise the £50 million midfield signing in the upcoming campaign.
For Wrexham supporters: With Windass and Cleworth rested, this is a chance to see squad depth and younger players step up against Premier League opposition ahead of their US tour.
Key action: Monitor the fitness updates on Benjamin Sesko — his return will be critical to United's attacking options early in the season.
Who this affects most: The match gives fringe players and academy prospects a genuine opportunity to impress Carrick before competitive fixtures begin.
What do you make of Andrey Santos joining Manchester United? Can he become a key figure under Michael Carrick? And how important is pre-season fitness management for clubs like Wrexham balancing league and tour commitments?
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