Man Utd 0-1 Wrexham: Andrey Santos makes Red Devils debut in opening pre-season loss in Helsinki
Match report as Manchester United lose 1-0 to Wrexham in their opening pre-season fixture; new £50m signing Andrey Santos made his debut before Michael Carrick rung the changes at half-time; United's next game is against Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 24
Saturday 18 July 2026 21:48, UK
Andrey Santos made his Manchester United debut as Michael Carrick's side lost 1-0 to Wrexham in their opening pre-season fixture at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.
The Brazil midfielder played the first 45 minutes of the game following his recent £50m transfer from Chelsea, although had little chance to impress as United's new permanent head coach changed every player with his side trailing at the break.
Carrick brought on United's academy players as he sought a way back into the contest in the second half, captained by Tyler Fletcher, but without success as Wrexham held on for the win thanks to Sam Smith's far-post tap-in six minutes before half-time.
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It could have been more had United back-up goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who caught the eye while on loan with Bristol City last season, not made an excellent stop to deny Davis Keillor-Dunn midway through the second period.
The key moments from the Olympic Stadium
18: WHAT A CHALLENGE! Man Utd's Ayden Heaven with a wonderfully timed tackle in the box on Bailey Cadamarteri - former Everton striker Danny's son - to win back possession and boy did the youngster need to get that right.
25: SHOT! Some neat build-up play by United in and around the Wrexham box, before Joshua Zirkzee flashes a fierce drive inches past the left-hand post from the edge of the box.
36: BAR! Mason Mount's inswinging corner is inadvertently headed against his own bar by Smith under pressure by Leny Yoro at the near post.
39: GOAL! Wow, out of nothing and against the run of play, Wrexham lead. The Championship side take a throw down their left as George Thomason links up with Lewis O'Brien, whose low ball across the six-yard box somehow makes its way through Harry Maguire's legs to the unmarked Smith, who had a simple tap-in at the far post.
66: SAVE! Keillor-Dunn is played clean through on goal by a wonderful defence-splitting pass, but backup 'keeper Vitek does well to stand tall and make an important block with his legs.
'Santos is getting into rhythm - it was good to see him'
Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick speaking to MUTV:
"The boys have been back together for 10 days or so. It was about getting through today and looking for some positives, knowing that it wasn't going to be perfect. That's only natural for the first one.
"The most important thing is that everyone came through it in good shape. We can move on and take the next step going into the next game next week.
"Mason [Mount] did some really good things and connected really well. You could see some positives there. Top end of the pitch, those sharp little movements and those little bright moments progress through the weeks of training.
"There were good signs. Andrey [Santos] is getting into a rhythm. It was good to see him out on the pitch.
"They'll [United's World Cup players] start coming back soon. The squad will get stronger as we get closer to the season but we've got a good group here.
"We're really looking forward to the games coming up and we'll keep making a difference, keep improving and keep pushing towards the start of the season."
'More-than-useful runout for United despite defeat'
Analysis by Sky Sports' Rich Morgan:
"This was a more-than-useful runout for Manchester United in their opening pre-season fixture, Michael Carrick giving those first-teamers in the squad who travelled to Finland the opening 45 minutes in the Olympic Stadium, including recent £50m signing from Chelsea Andrey Santos, skipper Harry Maguire, fellow England internationals Luke Shaw and Mason Mount and the likes of Patrick Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo, among others.
"The Brazilian slotted in neatly in central midfield alongside Mount and Jack Fletcher, before - as expected - United's new permanent head coach changed every player at the break as he gave a chance to his academy stars to impress in the second period, including Fletcher's twin brother Tyler, who captained the team.
"The defeat will largely be irrelevant to Carrick and his coaching team, especially given their Championship opponents are a good few weeks ahead in their pre-season preparations.
"What will have been more important to Carrick as he gears up for the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign at newly promoted Hull on August 22 will be the fact his squad have got valuable miles in their legs ahead of their next pre-season clash with Rosenborg on July 24."
Man Utd's remaining pre-season fixtures
- July 24: Man Utd vs Rosenborg - Trondheim, 5pm
- August 1: Man Utd vs Atletico Madrid - Stockholm, 2pm
- August 8: Man Utd vs PSG - Gothenburg, 4pm
- August 12: Man Utd vs Leeds - Dublin, 7.30pm
- August 15: Man Utd vs AC Milan - Wroclaw, 3.45pm
