United returned to action under Michael Carrick against Wrexham in Helsinki
Manchester United opened pre-season with a 1-0 loss to Wrexham in Helsinki. Mason Mount looked good and new signing Andrey Santos made an encouraging unofficial debut after completing his move from Chelsea earlier this week.
Pre-season at this stage is little more than a workout, a chance for players to stretch their legs after their holidays. Most top teams are not usually bothered about outscoring the opponents at this time.
Michael Carrick started the senior players available to him for the first half. Those involved at the World Cup were missing, including new signing Youri Tielemans. Benjamin Sesko was also absent as he aims to fully recover from an injury sustained towards the end of last season.
Santos and Mount were available and given a run from the outset. Santos started at the base of midfield alongside Mount and settled quickly into the game with composed passing and several strong challenges, although Mount looked much sharper. At half-time, Carrick followed tradition and introduced an entirely new team for the second half.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith scored the only goal six minutes before the break, converting Lewis O’Brien’s cross after the ball slipped through Harry Maguire’s legs.
The championship team looked the sharper side during the opening period, having had more days of pre-season than United. United controlled possession much better after the break but created little with a much younger team.
Manchester United first-half XI
(4-2-3-1): Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mount, Santos; Mbeumo, Jack Fletcher, Dorgu; Zirkzee
Manchester United second-half XI
(4-2-3-1): Vitek; Kamason, Devaney, Armer, Amass; Tyler Fletcher, Gore; Lacey, Collyer, Williams; Wheatley
