Manchester United begin their pre-season with a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki at the Olympic Stadium. Andrey Santos makes his Manchester United debut after joining the club from Chelsea, and multiple reports describe his first appearance as encouraging despite the loss. United’s match is shaped by extensive squad rotation: Michael Carrick makes 11 changes at half-time, giving several younger players an opportunity to feature. The only goal comes from Sam Smith, who scores with an easy finish six minutes before the interval after Wrexham’s attacking pressure from a corner. Reports also note that United are without several established players due to World Cup commitments, including those who featured in the tournament, along with other summer targets or signings mentioned in coverage. The Guardian adds that United’s starting XI includes a mix of regulars and fringe options in front of about 20,000 spectators. Overall, the fixtures are presented as an early test for United’s evolving squad and tactics, with Santos standing out in his first game.