Young reds fall to loss in Helsinki
Manchester United lost in their opening pre-season game as they build towards the start of the new season. Michael Carrick played two different sides in both halves as assesses his squad. The picture will be clearer when World Cup players return from their break.
It was a morale boosting victory for the Welsh side though. They netted the only only just before the half-time break. They held on afterwards despite many changes.
Carrick elected to go with new signing Andrey Santos alongside Mason Mount in midfield and Leny Yoro at right back. Bryan Mbeumo up front with Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu supporting.
Phil Parkinson included two former reds in Matty James and Sam Smith in his starting line-up. He went with a 3-4-3 formation.
It was Sam Smith who was causing issues in the opening stages. Tom Heaton lost the ball to him in a challenge before Harry Maguire intercepted the cutback. Heaton then denied him in a one-on-one. Ayden Heaven is one hoping to stake his claim for a starting place. He made an impressive tackle to halt the run of Bailey Cadamarteri on 18 minutes.
United then had a pair of chances. Dan Scarr was forced to produce a block on a chance for Patrick Dorgu. Joshua Zirkzee then put his effort just wide.
Andrey Santos was impressing on his first start. He was busy to track back whenever required and tidy on the ball. He demonstrated his bite when squaring up to a Wrexham player who had committed a foul.
Chances were starting to appear at either end. Zak Vyner blocked a chance for Zirkzee whilst Nathan Broadhead curled a chance just over. The closest either side came when Smith headed against his own crossbar from Mason Mount’s corner.
The striker broke the deadlock at the right end just before the break though. Lewis O’ Brien picked up the ball on the left and slid the ball across the area through the legs of Harry Maguire. Smith was unmarked at the back post to tap home.
Both managers chose to radically change their line-ups with just Aaron James remaining on the pitch from the 22 starting. It was a noticeably younger United side with many of the players on loan taking the field. It contributed towards a drop in tempo. The humid temperatures didn’t help in that matter.
Radek Vitek is one returning from a successful loan spell at Bristol City. He is one expecting to see more first-team action with us or via another move. He produced a smart save to deny Davis Keillor-Dunn through an Ollie Rathbone through-ball.
The younger players impressed in their time on the pitch. Jacob Devaney was neat and controlled on the ball, Harry Amass showing plenty of energy after his injury lay-off and Shea Lacey causing concern with his pace up top.
The young reds pilled on the pressure as the half continued. Danny Ward saved at his near post from Dan Gore’s cross-shot. Ethan Wheatley then flicked an effort just wide after a smart cross from Amass.
Lacey had an effort saved from distance after a neat buildup play. The Dragons were able to hold on for the win though. Both sides will be on the road for their next warm-up game. United head to Norway to play Rosenberg on Friday. Wrexham are off to US to take on Leeds next.
Wrexham: Arthur Okonkwo, Zak Vyner, Dan Scarr, Callum Doyle, Aaron James, Lewis O’ Brien, Matty James, George Thomson, Bailey Cadamarteri, Nathan Broadhead, Sam Smith.
Danny Ward, Lewis Brunt, Conor Coady, Dom Hyam, Ryan Barnett, George Dobson, Harry Ashfield, Aaron James (Alex Moore 70), Ollie Rathbone, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Kieffer Moore.
Manchester United: Tom Heaton, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Andrey Santos, Bryan Mbeumo, Jack Fletcher, Patrick Dorgu, Joshua Zirkzee.
Radek Vitek, Jaydan Kamason, Jacob Devaney, Daniel Armer, Harry Amass, Tyler Fletcher, Dan Gore, Shea Lacey, Toby Collyer, Ethan Williams, Ethan Wheatley.
Referee: Mohammad Al-Emara
Attendance: 20,069
Simply Red Man of the Match: Andrey Santos
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