Andrey Santos Could Debut for Manchester United Against Wrexham

Published: Jul 17, 2026, 10:13 AM ET

What’s Happening?

Imagine a big friendly soccer match is about to happen! Manchester United (a famous football club) is playing a pre-season friendly game against Wrexham in Helsinki (a city in Finland). A "friendly" is just a practice match that doesn’t count in the league.

A new player named Andrey Santos might get to play his very first game wearing Manchester United’s shirt this Saturday. He is in the group of players (called the "travelling squad") that went to Finland for the match.

Who Is Andrey Santos?

• He is 22 years old.
• He is from Brazil.
• He plays as a midfielder (a player who helps both defense and attack in the middle of the field).
• He joined Manchester United from Chelsea (another big club) on Monday.
• His transfer (move to a new club) could cost up to £50 million (about $67.2 million).
• He was the first permanent signing by the team’s manager, Michael Carrick.
• He trained with his new team at Carrington (their practice ground) all week.

The Squad Going to Finland

Manchester United took a group of 25 players to the match. It’s a mix of:

• Experienced older players
• Young talented kids

Some senior players are missing because they played in the World Cup and are still resting. One of them is Youri Tielemans, who is also a new midfielder.

First-Team Regulars Included

These well-known players are going:

• Harry Maguire
• Bryan Mbeumo
• Patrick Dorgu
• Leny Yoro
• Luke Shaw
• Ayden Heaven
• Mason Mount
• Joshua Zirkzee

Young Players Included

• Harry Amass
• Shea Lacey
• Jaydan Kamason (hopeful to play right-back, a defensive side position)
• Jacob Devaney, Dan Gore, Jim Thwaites (midfielders)
• Tyler and Jack Fletcher

Who Is Not Going?

• Benjamin Sesko: A striker (goal scorer) from Slovenia. He stayed home because he is still getting fit after a shin injury (lower leg hurt) that made him miss the last 3 games last season.
• Karl Darlow: A goalkeeper who just joined for free from Leeds this week. He didn’t travel. The keepers going are Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, and Dermot Mee.
• JJ Gabriel: A young forward not in the squad.

Important Point: Sesko being absent means young forwards Chidi Obi and Ethan Wheatley might get a chance to play!

About Wrexham (The Opponent)

Wrexham also traveled to Finland, but without:

• Josh Windass (has a slight calf problem — that’s the back of his lower leg)
• Max Cleworth (has an Achilles issue — his heel tendon)

Wrexham’s manager Phil Parkinson said:

• "We’re where we need to be in terms of fitness."
• Some players came back late and have small leftover injuries.
• A few won’t be ready for Saturday and will train instead.
• Josh is running again and in great shape; no need to rush him.
• Max’s slow build-up this off-season will help his ongoing Achilles problem.

Wrexham will later go to the United States to play friendlies against Leeds, Liverpool, and Sunderland.

Summary

Andrey Santos, Manchester United’s new £50m Brazilian midfielder, may make his debut this Saturday in a friendly vs Wrexham in Helsinki. United’s 25-man squad mixes youth and experience, but several World Cup players and injured folks like Sesko are absent. Wrexham is missing a couple of players due to minor injuries. It’s a relaxed warm-up game before the real season starts!

FAQ

1. What is a pre-season friendly?
It’s a practice match teams play before the real season to get fit and try new players. It doesn’t affect league standings.

2. Why is Andrey Santos’s move a big deal?
He is the first permanent player signed by manager Michael Carrick, and the deal could be worth up to £50 million.

3. Why isn’t Benjamin Sesko traveling?
He is still recovering from a shin injury and working toward full fitness.

4. Which young players might benefit from others being absent?
Chidi Obi and Ethan Wheatley could get a chance up front because Sesko is not there.

5. What injuries does Wrexham have?
Josh Windass has a calf issue; Max Cleworth has an Achilles problem. Both stayed home.