Andrey Santos Named in Manchester United Squad for Wrexham Friendly
Andrey Santos is on the brink of his first appearance in Manchester United red, named in the travelling squad for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki.
The 22-year-old Brazilian, Michael Carrick’s first permanent signing, arrived from Chelsea on Monday in a deal that could rise to £50 million. He has barely had time to unpack. A week at Carrington, a crash course in United’s patterns and pressing, and now a potential debut on neutral turf as Carrick starts to stitch together his new-look midfield.
Carrick’s evolving squad
United have taken a 25-man group to Finland, a deliberate blend of core first-teamers and ambitious youngsters, with the squad still feeling the after-effects of a summer dominated by international football.
Youri Tielemans, another new face in midfield, is among those not involved after World Cup duty, leaving Santos as the headline act in a squad that still carries enough senior weight to set standards.
Harry Maguire travels, as do Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee. Around them, the club’s next wave gets a rare, extended look at senior preparation. Harry Amass and Shea Lacey are in the group, while Jaydan Kamason will hope to impress at right-back.
The middle of the pitch has a distinctly developmental feel beneath the headline signing. Jacob Devaney, Dan Gore and Jim Thwaites are all on board, joined by Tyler and Jack Fletcher, as Carrick tests depth and temperament in equal measure.
Up front, the picture is more complicated.
Sesko out, door opens for youth
Benjamin Sesko has stayed behind, still working his way back to full fitness after the shin injury that ruled him out of the final three games of last season. His absence removes United’s most established central striker from the equation and instantly reshapes the attacking pecking order for this trip.
The gap is obvious. So is the opportunity.
Young forwards Chidi Obi and Ethan Wheatley stand to benefit most, with minutes now realistically on the table against Wrexham. JJ Gabriel, however, has not been included, a reminder that the path to the first team remains narrow even in pre-season.
In goal, new arrival Karl Darlow will have to wait for his first outing. Signed this week on a free from Leeds, the experienced keeper has not travelled, leaving veteran Tom Heaton as the senior option between the posts, supported by Radek Vitek and Dermot Mee.
For Santos, all of this adds up to a stage that suits him perfectly: a competitive friendly, a mixed squad, and a manager keen to see how quickly his new signing can dictate tempo in unfamiliar surroundings.
Wrexham tune up for U.S. tour
On the other side, Wrexham have their own summer story to write. The club, preparing for a Stateside tour that includes friendlies against Leeds, Liverpool and Sunderland, have flown to Finland without Josh Windass and Max Cleworth.
Manager Phil Parkinson framed their absence as precaution rather than crisis. Windass has been managing a slight calf issue, while Cleworth’s Achilles problem has lingered from last season.
“We're where we need to be in terms of fitness,” Parkinson said. Some players have returned later, some are still shaking off “niggly things” from last year, and a few will remain in training rather than feature at the weekend. Windass has been running and is described as in “great shape,” with Parkinson adamant there is no need to rush him. Cleworth’s slower build-up is seen as an investment in his long-term fitness.
For Wrexham, Helsinki is a checkpoint before the glare of the U.S. tour. For United, it is something else entirely: a first live look at Andrey Santos in their colours, a test of their emerging core, and a reminder that this rebuild will be judged not just on who they sign, but on how quickly those signings start to shape the team.
