Manchester United vs Wrexham LIVE
Manchester United started their new season with defeat against Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland. The Red Devils, playing their first match of their pre-season tour of Europe, were beaten 1-0 by the Championship side at the Olympic Stadium. Former Reading striker Sam Smith got the winner in the first half, ghosting in unmarked at the back post to prod home, evading the watchful eyes of Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire - who sported the captain’s armband - at the heart of the United defence.
It was a slow-tempo affair in Scandinavia, with few chances for either side as both seek to get back their fitness levels ahead of what should be an important campaign for both parties. United are looking to build on a third-place finish under Michael Carrick this term, as they prepare to play Champions League football again for the first time since 2023. Carrick has been handed the permanent head coach position after impressing in his second spell as caretaker last season.
Wrexham themselves are eyeing promotion to the Premier League after heartbreak on the final day of the campaign, missing out on the play-offs by a whisker to eventual winners Hull City.
Manchester United vs Wrexham latest updates
- GOOD SAVE! Vitek thwarts Keilor-Dunn
- GOAL! Smith opens scoring
- OFF THE BAR! United close to opener
FT: Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:50 , Oli Gent
There we have it. A defeat for the first pre-season game of the campaign.
Not the result that Michael Carrick would have wanted, and not a particularly pleasing performance either.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE action.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:44 , Oli Gent
86 mins: Into the final five minutes. Still no threat to the scoreboard, despite the number of men United are sending forward.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:42 , Oli Gent
83 mins: Some faster speed of play from United as Gore gets things moving and plays it into Lacey who strikes, but Ward holds comfortably.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:37 , Oli Gent
79 mins: Some instructions from Phil Parkinson for Kieffer Moore as we move into the final ten minutes. He’s not coming on as a sub, he’s been on the entire half.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:34 , Oli Gent
75 mins: A slower pace once more as the match drags towards the full-time whistle. It’s not been a particularly thrilling watch.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:31 , Oli Gent
72 mins: Gore does well to work some space down the right, and he looks to get it across the six-yard box into Wheatley, but Ward collects.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:28 , Oli Gent
70 mins: Another chance for the Welsh sied as James is replaced by Alex Moore.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:28 , Oli Gent
69 mins: Plenty of control from Wrexham’s experienced side as United’s kids chase shadows. The Championship side have produced a really good account of themselves here.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:25 , Oli Gent
66 mins: Close! Keilor-Dunn is played in behind down the left, he bears down on goal, but he’s denied by the feet of Vitek.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:23 , Oli Gent
64 mins: A yellow card goes to Kamason for a late challenge on Dobson.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:19 , Oli Gent
61 mins: United have stepped up their defensive line, keeping the ball well as they look to progress it through the thirds, but again, there’s no real bite in that front line.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:15 , Oli Gent
58 mins: Wheatley is looking to spin in behind and run Brunt, but the defender steps across him well to see the bouncing ball behind.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:13 , Oli Gent
55 mins: Free kick, United. Amass looks to surge infield off the left, but he’s hauled down by Ashfield.
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:10 , Oli Gent
52 mins: There is more of a forward-thinking approach from this United team, who are in more of a no-fear mentality. Can they find an equaliser?
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
17:08 , Oli Gent
49 mins: A younger United side in this second half, but will any of them make a first-team claim to Carrick?
Wrexham second half XI
17:05 , Oli Gent
Our second-half XI 👇
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) July 18, 2026
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/pechlNMwxJ
Man Utd second half XI
17:04 , Oli Gent
Switching things up for the second half in Helsinki 🇫🇮🔀
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 18, 2026
Kick off!
17:04 , Oli Gent
46 mins: Back underway.
HT: Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
16:47 , Oli Gent
There’s half time. A disappointing first 45 minutes of the campaign for United and Carrick.
What will the second half have in store?
Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
16:45 , Oli Gent
43 mins: The second-tier team are knocking it around confidently and are deservedly ahead here.
Goal! Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham
16:41 , Oli Gent
40 mins: It’s there, and the Championship side lead! It’s Sam Smith who has it, with O’Brien crosses into a dagnerous area, where the striker taps home.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:38 , Oli Gent
38 mins: Close! The delivery is whipped in towards Yoro from Mount. Sam Smith makes contact, flicks it onto his own crossbar, and behind for another set play, which United waste.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:37 , Oli Gent
37 mins: Corner. Man Utd. Better from the Red Devils. Shaw is more adventurous down the left, and he looks to get the cross in, which James blocks.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:36 , Oli Gent
36 mins: Again, a lot of disconnect in United’s final third. Fletcher isn’t on the same wavelength as Zirkzee, Dorgu and Mbeumo aren’t picking up those pockets, and the crosses they’re sending in are blindly aimed at anyone who is in the box.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:34 , Oli Gent
33 mins: Maguire finds Dorgu with a line-splitting ball, but the Dane’s cross is cleared by Vyner.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:30 , Oli Gent
29 mins: A slow pace so far in the first half, but as to be expected. Can either side find that elusive opener?
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:26 , Oli Gent
26 mins: Close! The first sight of goal for United as Zirkzee picks up a pocket of space, goes for the snapshot, but it’s wide of the target.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:24 , Oli Gent
23 mins: Free kick, Wrexham. The free kick goes in the Championship sied’s favour as Santos bundles O’Brien over.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:21 , Oli Gent
20 mins: A good challenge by Heaven, who reacts well after Cadamarteri chases him down and initially dispossesses him.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:18 , Oli Gent
17 mins: United just haven’t got going in possession yet. They’re obviously rusty, and naturally missing their orchestrator Fernandes in the No10 position, but they are looking shaky...
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:15 , Oli Gent
14 mins: Broadhead is causing problems for United down the left. He breezes past Maguire like he’s not there, but Heaven steps across to deal with him.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:12 , Oli Gent
11 mins: Thomason does well to keep the ball over the top in and get a ball into the box, which Heaven puts behind. Wrexham dominating the early stages.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:10 , Oli Gent
8 mins: Offside flag goes up against Smith as he goes through on goal from O’Brien’s through pass. The striker poked wide anyway.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:06 , Oli Gent
5 mins: Maguire is sporting the armband for United this afternoon. Mount is alongside Santos in the double pivot, with Fletcher the more advanced as the No10.
Man Utd 0-0 Wrexham
16:03 , Oli Gent
3 mins: It is Yoro at right-back for United, with the Red Devils in a 4-2-3-1 shape.
There is an early scare for Heaton in the United goal as he drops one with Smith challenging him, and Santos sends it behind for the corner.
Kick off!
16:01 , Oli Gent
1 min: Underway in Helsinki.
Five minute warning
15:55 , Oli Gent
Here come the players, and we’re about to get underway.
10 minutes to kick off
15:49 , Oli Gent
Who will win this one?
How will Santos fare?
Pre-match thoughts
15:45 , Oli Gent
Pre-match thoughts from the boss 💬⤵️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 18, 2026
Fan reaction
15:42 , Oli Gent
I thought Chido would have been given a chance to start this game
— ObaroTalksTactics (@obarotlkstactic) July 18, 2026
Half an hour to kick off
15:30 , Oli Gent
Here are the two teams for those that missed them...
Man Utd XI: Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Santos, Fletcher; Mbeumo, Mount, Dorgu; Zirkzee
Wrexham XI: Okwonkwo; Thomason, Scarr, Doyle; Vyner, James, James, O’Brien, Broadhead; Cadamarteri, Smith
The players are here
15:23 , Oli Gent
Arrivals!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) July 18, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/38pxkexscY #MUNWRE | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/cCz4i1wkUQ
Man Utd issue Rashford transfer stance as 'plan revealed'
15:15 , Oli Gent
Manchester United have issued their stance on Marcus Rashford’s future.
The England forward is currently in transfer limbo, with Barcelona not taking up their buy option in the loan deal they struck with the Red Devils last summer.
Rashford spent the term at the Nou Camp, where he played 49 games and scored 14 goals, but the La Liga outfit did not want to pay the €30million price that had been set in order to turn his move permanent.
Why are Man Utd summer signings not involved?
15:07 , Oli Gent
Fans are growing excited at the prospect of seeing some of the new arrivals in action this afternoon, but it may only be Andrey Santos, the former Chelsea man, who takes to the field and is given a first run-out in United colours.
Why? Read more here!
Why is Sesko not playing today?
15:00 , Oli Gent
Benjamin Sesko will not feature for Manchester United as they open their new season against Wrexham today.
He did not play at this summer’s World Cup with Slovenia, who didn’t qualify, but he misses this match through another fitness concern.
A debut awaits...
14:55 , Oli Gent
Inside the dressing room!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) July 18, 2026
A debut awaits for the summer signing...
LIVE: https://t.co/38pxkexscY #MUNWRE | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/i7898H3Zp3
Wrexham lineup
14:50 , Oli Gent
Wrexham XI: Okwonkwo; Thomason, Scarr, Doyle; Vyner, James, James, O’Brien, Broadhead; Cadamarteri, Smith
Subs: Owen, McTweed, Clayton, Edwards, Rees, Moore
Man Utd lineup
14:48 , Oli Gent
Man Utd XI: Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Santos, Fletcher; Mbeumo, Mount, Dorgu; Zirkzee
Subs: Vitek, Mee, Obi, Wheatley, Fletcher, Amass, Collyer, Gore, Lacey, Williams, Kamason, Devaney, Thwaites, Armer
Teams are out!
14:46 , Oli Gent
The teams. pic.twitter.com/anUItzT0mW
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) July 18, 2026
'Man Utd vs Wrexham will be a fun watch'
14:37 , Oli Gent
"It's all part of preseason and building interest. Man Utd fans will love to see the new kit and new players,” Louis Saha told BettingLounge.
Wrexham is an attraction because of what they achieved in consecutive years and what they have built around the world. These strange combinations of fixtures and destinations are strong for promotion, so it will be fun to watch.
"It doesn't say much for the Premier League season since so much is still to happen in the transfer market, but we can see the fitness and first glimpses of the tactics being applied.
"It’s an exciting game and I’ll predict a win for Man Utd of course."
'Wrexham have reached their peak'
14:30 , Oli Gent
"I’ve watched Welcome To Wrexham and it is a super interesting show but for some reason I don’t see them ever making it to the Premier League. I feel like they have already reached their ceiling,” Mikael Silvestre said to Grosvenor Sport.
"Even if they were to make it up into the Premier League, that is a level that is so hard to sustain. Almost everybody who comes up goes back down immediately. Look at Ipswich Town or Burnley.
"Sunderland have managed to remain in the Premier League but the rest of the teams struggle because there is a big, big gap between the Championship and the Premier League but you cannot say anything against the fairytale of Wrexham and their back-to-back-to-back promotions. I don’t think we will see another club do that again.
"It’s a great story and they are doing a lot of good for the people of the Wrexham area, especially with what that football club means to the community. I think that is the biggest win for the owners.
"Will that ruin the show? There’s always something else they can produce to keep it interesting. There’s so much going on around the football club and I’ve found it super interesting to watch how they’ve maneuvered themselves up the leagues in such a short span of time."
'Wrexham can win promotion this year'
14:23 , Oli Gent
Dwight Yorke believes that Wrexham can make the jump up to the Premier League this season.
"The Championship is always open for anyone to come and win it,” he told Sports Betting.
"I look back to my experience as a player in the Championship to realise how that league operates, and everybody has a genuine chance from top to bottom, whether it’s the teams that are favourites with the bigger budgets or the teams that surprise you.
"We know West Ham, Wolves and Burnley are dropping back down with their parachute payments and Premier League players, and so they dominate the conversations, and it does have a little bit of a knock-on effect. But I think everybody should take a leap out of Coventry City’s book. They defied the odds last year under Frank Lampard and anybody in this league with a decent squad and a good manager can get themselves promoted. It doesn't matter what the predictions say about them before the season kicks off.
"If you’re brave enough to go out and play the way you need to play and fight for it, you can get up there. That’s my experience of the Championship. When I joined Sunderland, we were in 23rd place. By April, we’d won the league. That tells you everything.
"It doesn't matter who you are, or who you play for, if you put your mind and soul into it, the Championship will reward you. You can get it done. It’s a league that is as wide open as ever. Anyone can get promoted so why can’t Wrexham or Birmingham City or Blackburn Rovers go out there do it this season? Who thought Hull City would go up to the Premier League last year? There’s another example to look at.
"Wrexham have never made it to the Premier League but Birmingham and Blackburn have played in the top flight before so why would you not go into the season thinking you can get back up there? With the extra two playoff places, these teams have never had more ways to get promoted than they do now."
Match odds
14:15 , Oli Gent
Odds via online betting sites (subject to change).
Head to head
14:07 , Oli Gent
The most recent competitive meeting between these sides came in 1995, with United winning 5-2 in the FA Cup fourth round. Among the goalscorers that day were Denis Irwin, Ryan Giggs, and Brian McClair.
United have won all five of their competitive matches against Wrexham and kept a clean sheet in four of them.
Manchester United wins: 5
Wrexham wins: 0
Draws: 0
Standard Sport prediction
14:00 , Oli Gent
For Carrick and United, a win will not necessarily be the expectation in this, their first match of the summer, where there is plenty more at stake than the full-time result.
There are fresh faces to integrate and new tactics to experiment with. Facing an unfamiliar opposition already one match into their own pre-season, United’s rust may dull their chances.
Wrexham are a solid team and will be a promotion contender this season, but United should be relatively confident coming into this match. A draw might be the most likely outcome.
Draw, 2-2.
Wrexham team news
13:52 , Oli Gent
Liberato Cacace is expected to feature for Wrexham after representing New Zealand at the World Cup.
Otherwise, Phil Parkinson has a full complement to pick from.
Man Utd team news
13:48 , Oli Gent
Andrey Santos is expected to make his Man United debut here after he moved north from Chelsea. The match comes too soon for fellow summer signing Youri Tielemans, who remains on holiday after Belgium’s World Cup campaign.
Karl Darlow is not in the squad due to a minor operation, while Benjamin Sesko misses out too with a shin problem that carries over from last season.
Man United squad
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, Dermot Mee.
Defenders: Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Harry Amass, Jaydan Kamason, Dan Armer.
Midfielders: Mason Mount, Andrey Santos, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, Jacob Devaney, Jim Thwaites.
Forwards: Joshua Zirkzee, Bryan Mbeumo, Chido Obi, Ethan Wheatley, Shea Lacey, Ethan Williams.
How to watch
13:37 , Oli Gent
Live stream: Manchester United’s full pre-season campaign will be broadcast via in-house channel MUTV, which requires a subscription. Membership costs £7.99 per month.
Hello and welcome
13:30 , Oli Gent
... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United vs Wrexham.
This is the first pre-season friendly of the new season, and it comes from Helsinki, Finland.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 4pm BST.
