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United Name Santos in Squad for Wrexham Friendly

7/18/2026

Summary

Carrick Picks Santos

Michael Carrick named Andrey Santos—who joined United from Chelsea in a deal reported up to £50 million ($67.2 million))—for the July 18 friendly with Wrexham.
Harry Amass, Shea Lacey and Chido Obi join Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo, while Karl Darlow, Benjamin Sesko and Youri Tielemans sit out for fitness.
The friendly starts at 4 p.m. BST in Helsinki Olympic Stadium, after which United will travel to Norway to play Rosenborg at Lerkendal Stadion.

Summary

United Friendly

Manchester United will play a pre-season friendly after winning four of their last five Premier League matches, scoring 11 and conceding six.
Wrexham enters the match with a pre-season record of two wins, two draws and a 3-1 loss to Coventry City.
The clubs previously met in a July 2023 pre-season friendly, where Wrexham upset United 3-1.
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History

Historical Context

In summer 1998 Alex Ferguson took Manchester United on a Scandinavian pre-season tour, beating Brøndby 6-0 and Brann 4-0 after a 2-2 draw with Vålerenga. That trip forged a habit of early-season matches in northern Europe, a practice that reappeared in July 2024 with games against Wrexham in Helsinki and Rosenborg in Norway, boosting the club’s brand.

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Carrick Picks Santos

Michael Carrick named Andrey Santos—who joined United from Chelsea in a deal reported up to £50 million ($67.2 million))—for the July 18 friendly with Wrexham.
Harry Amass, Shea Lacey and Chido Obi join Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo, while Karl Darlow, Benjamin Sesko and Youri Tielemans sit out for fitness.
The friendly starts at 4 p.m. BST in Helsinki Olympic Stadium, after which United will travel to Norway to play Rosenborg at Lerkendal Stadion.

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