Michael Carrick is getting his summer started, and he’s bringing a new face with him. Manchester United’s first preseason friendly of the 2026-27 campaign is Saturday against Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland, and new signing Andrey Santos is expected to make his debut.
Santos completed his transfer from Chelsea earlier this week. The deal could reach £50 million. He’s the only one of United’s three summer additions who traveled with the squad to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Who’s in and who’s out
The 25-man group Carrick named is a mix of veterans and kids. Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee and Bryan Mbeumo are all expected to see minutes. So are academy prospects like Harry Amass, Chido Obi, Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher — yeah, the same Fletcher who was in Scotland’s World Cup squad this summer.
But there are plenty of notable absences. Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Matheus Cunha, Noussair Mazraoui, Altay Bayindir, Amad, Senne Lammens and Lisandro Martinez are all still in North America after representing United in the summer tour or, in Martinez’s case, going deep into the World Cup. He played in the final.
Youri Tielemans got extra time off after his World Cup run with Belgium. Karl Darlow is staying in Manchester as he wraps up recovery from a procedure he had at the end of last season. Manuel Ugarte isn’t ready yet — he’s a long-term injury absentee. And Benjamin Sesko didn’t travel either. He’s working toward full fitness after missing the final three games of last season.
Opportunity for the young guys
One name worth watching: Jaydan Kamason. With no senior right-backs available in the squad, the kid could get a start in defense. Radek Vitek might get the nod in goal. Toby Collyer is also in the mix after loan spells at West Brom and Hull last season.
Wonderkid JJ Gabriel didn’t make the trip. The team hasn’t said why. Could be fitness, could be a rest decision. Either way, he’s not in Finland.
This is a friendly, so the result barely matters. What does matter is getting minutes into legs and seeing how the new pieces fit. Santos will be the main attraction. But for a few of these kids, it’s a real chance to make an impression before the first team regulars come back.
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