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Jon Doel

Wrexham to play Man Utd in USA as Sir Alex Ferguson joins Ryan Reynolds in announcement video

Wrexham will play Manchester United in San Diego in July.

The news was announced in a brilliant video featuring the Welsh club's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The game will take place on July 25 as part of the Premier League side's US tour.

In the video, 81-year-old Sir Alex appeared on a video call with Reynolds and McElhenney, who are concerned about the Scot's legendary intimidation tactics and mind games.

The Wrexham co-owners try to engage in conversation but are given the silent treatment by Ferguson before Reynolds hangs up on the video call, claiming McElhenney is late for a hair appointment.

The clip ends with Ferguson, sipping a cup of tea at Old Trafford, telling a member of staff when asked how the call went, that the American acting duo were on mute. "They were on mute, never heard a thing," he quips.

It will be a first meeting between the clubs since an FA Cup tie in January 1995 which United won 5-2.

"This will be the first time the team has visited San Diego, and we are looking forward to playing in front of our passionate US fans at the Snapdragon Stadium," said John Murtough, United's football director. "Pre-season tours are always a great occasion to give opportunities for our most promising young academy players to gain valuable experience in the first team environment, and this match against Wrexham AFC is a great example of that.

"Manchester United has a history of nurturing and promoting youth and this is a chance for not only Erik but also our US supporters to assess the homegrown talent that is developing within our academy, and hopefully to be able to say, 'I saw him here first,' if some of those players go on to establish themselves as first team regulars."

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: "We're looking forward to being able to play in the United States for the first time in the club's history. The match against Manchester United is sure to be a memorable occasion at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego.

"The tour will be an excellent opportunity for us to prepare for the 2023-24 season, and the match against Manchester United will be a competitive fixture and a good test for us as we look ahead to the new campaign.

"We enjoy welcoming supporters from the US to the Racecourse Ground, and we're looking forward to being able to play in front of some of these new fans on American soil in the summer."

Read more:

The gorgeous live TV interview with Wrexham's goal-scoring hero as Hollywood owners left in awe of her

Wrexham record crowd is evidence of north Wales women's football pulse finally being given oxygen

Hollywood star Blake Lively has fans in stitches with pitchside quip at second Wrexham game in two days

Ryan Reynolds just turned up in Wales with his Hollywood wife and whole family

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