Three Ex-Manchester United Academy Players Could Haunt Them in Helsinki Today

Manchester United kicks off its preseason schedule this afternoon in Helsinki. And the opponent? Wrexham. Yes, that Wrexham. The Welsh club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The one that went from non-league obscurity to nearly reaching the Championship playoffs last season.

But there’s a subplot here that goes deeper than Hollywood ownership and a fairytale rise. Three of Wrexham’s key players came through United’s own youth system. And they all left Carrington at different points, under different circumstances, before finding their way to this rapidly climbing club.

Matty James took the longest road back

James left United in 2012 and spent nine years at Leicester City. That’s where he won the Premier League in 2016, though injuries limited his role in that historic run. He’s been at Wrexham for two seasons now, a steadying presence in midfield. At 34, he’s still playing meaningful minutes in the second tier.

Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith came later

Rathbone left United’s academy in 2016 for Blackburn Rovers. He bounced around a bit before signing with Wrexham in 2024. Smith took an even longer detour. He left United for Reading in 2014, played for a bunch of clubs across the Football League, and finally landed in Wales in 2025.

All three are expected to feature today, per the club’s official site. Which means you’ve got a bunch of guys who once wore the same crest as United’s current stars, now trying to prove something in a friendly that actually means more than the typical preseason tune-up.

This isn’t just a charity match anymore

Wrexham finished seventh last season in League One. One spot out of the playoffs. That stings. But it also shows how far they’ve come since winning the National League in 2023. Three promotions in three seasons. That doesn’t happen without serious organization and some legit talent.

United, meanwhile, is starting fresh under whatever direction Erik ten Hag (or whoever’s in charge by now) has them pointed. It’s their first live action of the summer. Guys will be rusty. Some youngsters will get minutes. And a few former academy kids will get a chance to remind everyone what they left behind.

Kickoff is at 11 a.m. Eastern. Wrexham fans will travel in force. United fans probably care more about seeing new signings and avoiding injuries than the final score. But for James, Rathbone, and Smith? This one probably means a little more.