Manchester United’s preseason is finally here, and it kicks off with a bit of a weird one. They’re playing Wrexham. In Helsinki. At the Olympic Stadium. And it’s the first real look at what life under Michael Carrick as the permanent manager actually looks like.
Carrick got the job full-time after a second stint as interim boss went better than anyone expected. He took over from Ruben Amorim back in January, steadied a ship that was listing hard, and somehow dragged United back into the Champions League for the first time since 2023. That alone bought him some serious goodwill with the fanbase. Now he’s got the backing of the board, too.
The club brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans over the summer to fix a midfield that’s been a problem for years. Karl Darlow also showed up on a free transfer to push Senne Lammens for the No. 1 spot. So there’s actual depth now, which is something United haven’t had in the middle of the park since Carrick himself was playing there.
Who’s Actually Playing Today?
Good question. Most of United’s World Cup guys are still on break or just getting back into training, so this is going to be a rotated squad. Expect to see a lot of second-choice players and young guys fighting for minutes. The new signings might get some run too, though the team hasn’t confirmed exactly who’s available yet.
Wrexham, meanwhile, are in the Championship now. That’s not a typo. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s project has gone from National League to the second tier in a few years, and they’re not just happy to be there. They’ve been spending and building. This friendly isn’t a charity game anymore. It’s a legit test for both sides.
What to Watch For
Carrick’s tactics. That’s the thing. He was always a smart player, but as a manager he’s still unproven over a full season. The preseason games will tell us more about how he wants this team to press, build out of the back, and actually create chances. United were too passive under Amorim. Carrick made them tougher to break down. Now the question is whether he can make them fun to watch.
Wrexham won’t make it easy. They’ve got a point to prove against a huge club that’s slightly in transition. And honestly, these are the kinds of games that get spicy when nobody expects them to.
We’ll have updates from Helsinki as the match unfolds. Stick with us.
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