Preview: Manchester United vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

An academy side is set to take to the field for the Red Devils, with the first team playing against Real Madrid in Texas on Wednesday night, but it will be a full-strength Wrexham outfit, as the famous Welsh club prepare for the start of their 2023-24 season back in the Football League.

Match preview

Man United have been in impressive form during pre-season, beating Leeds United and Lyon in back-to-back matches in Oslo and Edinburgh respectively before travelling to the United States for their tour.

The 20-time English champions recorded a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in New Jersey on Saturday evening, with Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho on the scoresheet, and the first team are due back in action in Texas on Wednesday evening against Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Indeed, the clash with Wrexham will allow a number of youngsters to enjoy first-team action, with an academy outfit set to take to the field, and the Red Devils will then follow the clash against Real Madrid with their final friendly of the tour against Borussia Dortmund on July 30.

Erik ten Hag's side will then head back to Europe to round off their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with matches against Lens and Athletic Bilbao, with the team due to begin their Premier League season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14.

Man United have made two signings this summer, with Andre Onana following Mason Mount to the club, and the latter has now featured three times during pre-season, while the former could potentially make his first appearance for his new side against Real Madrid.

Wrexham, meanwhile, will be back in League Two next season, having won the 2022-23 National League, picking up 111 points from 46 matches during an excellent campaign.

The Red Dragons, who are owned by Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney, will begin their League Two campaign against MK Dons on August 5, but they have another two friendlies before then against Man United and Philadelphia Union II.

Wrexham opened their preparations for the new season with a 5-0 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday, but they were victorious on Saturday evening, managing to beat LA Galaxy II 4-0.

Andy Cannon, Elliot Lee, Paul Mullin and Anthony Forde were all on the scoresheet in the success over the American outfit, and Phil Parkinson's side will now be bidding to overcome a youthful Man United side.

Wrexham have been relatively quiet during the summer window despite their financial power, only bringing in Will Boyle from Huddersfield Town, but there are expected to be more incomings at the Racecourse Ground before the end of the transfer window.

Manchester United friendly form:

W

W

W

Wrexham friendly form:

L

Team News

Charlie McNeill was left out of the Man United first-team squad that travelled to the United States, but the forward is in the academy squad for this match, and he should lead the line for the Red Devils.

Radek Vitek, Alvaro Fernandez, Dan Gore and Omari Forson are currently with the first team but are widely expected to be involved in the clash with Wrexham.

The likes of Marc Jurado, Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Shola Shoretire and Noam Emeran could also feature, while there is a chance that fringe players in the first-team squad could play a part.

Jonny Evans is also set to line up in the middle of the defence, with the experienced centre-back signed on a short-term deal with a view to featuring against the Welsh side on Tuesday night.

Wrexham boss Parkinson again made full use of his squad against LA Galaxy II and that is again expected to be the case here, with the head coach building up the fitness of his players.

There is expected to be a familiar look to the starting side, though, with Mullin set to be joined in the final third of the field by Ollie Palmer.

Sam Dalby could therefore be made to settle for a spot on the bench, at least from the start, but there should be another start at the back for summer arrival Boyle, while Jordan Davies could come into the XI.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

Vitek; Jurado, Evans, Fish, Fernandez; Hannibal, Gore; Forson, Shoretire, Hansen-Aaroen; McNeill

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Foster; Boyle, Tozer, Hayden; Forde, Jones, Cannon, Davies, Mendy; Mullin, Palmer

We say: Manchester United 2-2 Wrexham

If Man United had their full side out, we would be predicting a very comfortable Red Devils success, but it will be an academy side on Tuesday. Wrexham will be confident of causing problems during the match, and we are predicting an entertaining draw between the two sides in San Diego.

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