Man United vs. Wrexham: Andrey Santos in travelling squad, Benjamin Sesko absent

Manchester United to Face Wrexham in Helsinki Pre-Season Opener

Manchester United begin their 2026-27 pre-season campaign this Saturday, July 18, with a friendly match against Wrexham at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. UK time. The fixture marks the start of a six-game pre-season schedule for United, who have opted to conduct their preparations entirely within Europe this summer. For Wrexham, the match serves as a key step in their build-up to the new Championship campaign following their recent goalless draw against Polish side Wisła Kraków.

Squad News: Andrey Santos Included; Benjamin Sesko Absent

Manchester United have confirmed a 25-man travelling squad for the trip to Finland. Among the notable inclusions is midfielder Andrey Santos, who could make his first appearance for the club following his £50 million move from Chelsea. However, striker Benjamin Sesko will not feature in the match. The club has clarified that Sesko is continuing to follow his own recovery program after sustaining a shin injury toward the end of last season. Manchester United officials have downplayed fitness concerns regarding the striker, stating that both he and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow—who is also absent due to an end-of-season procedure—are expected to be fully fit and available for the start of the 2026-27 season. The squad is heavily influenced by the absence of senior players who are either still on holiday or returning from World Cup duty. As a result, head coach Michael Carrick has called upon a mix of established first-teamers and academy prospects.

Youth Opportunities and Defensive Absences

With several senior defenders unavailable, including Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, younger players are set to see significant playing time. Jaydan Kamason is expected to feature at right-back, while academy talents such as Chido Obi, Ethan Wheatley, Shea Lacey, and the Fletcher brothers, Jack and Tyler, have been included in the traveling party. Other senior figures joining the trip include Tom Heaton, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, and Bryan Mbeumo. Defender Tyler Fredricson was excluded from the squad as he is expected to complete a permanent move away from Old Trafford. Additionally, Youri Tielemans will not make his debut in Helsinki, as the new signing is currently on holiday.

Wrexham’s Pre-Season Strategy

Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, enter the match looking to build on their performance against Wisła Kraków. First-team coach and former Manchester United youth player, Jones, emphasized the importance of the fixture. Whenever you play Man United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, it is always a special fixture against top-quality opposition, Jones said. The match is expected to be a high-intensity test for both sides. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has previously highlighted the value of facing high-profile opponents during the pre-season period to ensure the team reaches the required level of quality and intensity for league play.

United’s Upcoming Schedule

Following the match against Wrexham, Manchester United will continue their European tour with a series of high-profile friendlies: * Rosenborg: July 24 (Trondheim) * Atletico Madrid: August 1 (Stockholm) * Paris Saint-Germain: August 8 (Gothenburg) * Leeds United: August 12 (Dublin) * AC Milan: August 15 (Wroclaw) The club’s first competitive fixture of the 2026-27 season is scheduled for August 22 against Hull City.