Wrexham stars sent Man Utd warning as Erik ten Hag picks squad for US friendly
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has warned his players to expect a huge test despite Manchester United naming a much-changed squad for their pre-season friendly.
The Welsh outfit are currently enjoying a tour of the US following their landmark promotion last season as they prepare for their first Football League campaign in a decade and a half. Given the Red Dragons' Hollywood ties and the success of the "Welcome to Wrexham" TV series, the team's popularity in America has never been higher.
A clash against 20-time Premier League champions Manchester United now beckons for the North Wales club in San Diego on Tuesday (July 25). Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag will pick a young and weakened team to face the lower league side, with the Manchester Evening News revealing the make-up of his squad.
Academy prospects including Charlie McNeill and Alvaro Fernandez are expected to feature at the Snapdragon Stadium after being named in Ten Hag's 31-man touring party. Veteran defender Jonny Evans, who has recently re-joined the club on a short-term deal, could also be involved. And Wrexham manager Parkinson has admitted that his players will still be coming up against some formidable opposition in the exhibition match.
He told the club's website : "Manchester United will dominate possession as they are a fantastic team. Even if they won’t be playing their main team, their periphery players are outstanding and are internationals.
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"It will be a great exercise for us in working out of possession and being disciplined. We’re playing against a good team and need to be at our best. I think the balance for us is getting minutes in as many of the players as possible.
Wrexham star Paul Mullin found the net in the pre-season friendly match against the LA Galaxy II at Dignity Health Sports Park (Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)He added that the need for his players to improve n their fitness ahead of the new season is also a major priority coming into the game. He said: "Other players will start the game, as we need to make sure that as many get back ready for the season as close to peak fitness as possible."
Attracted by the hands-on approach of co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and the dedication of the team's passionate fanbase, supporters have turned out in force to see the League Two side in action in America this summer. The National League champions were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing against Chelsea on their first US date.
However, Parkinson's team rallied to record a first victory on the other side of the Atlantic versus LA Galaxy's second sting team, with talisman Paul Mullin among the goalscorers in a historic 4-0 win.
Man Utd continue their preseason tour against Wrexham but will ring the changes (Al Bello/Getty Images)Following the clash with Wrexham, Manchester United will face Real Madrid a day later, before a match against Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund on July 31. They will also face French team Lens and Basque giants Athletic Club before their season opener versus Wolves on August 14.
In the case of the Red Dragons, they will follow up the game against the three-time European champions with what will likely be an emotional encounter versus Philadelphia Union II in co-owner McElhenney's home city. They will face MK Dons in their first League Two fixture on August 5.
Man Utd players set to feature vs Wrexham: Radek Vitek, Alvaro Fernandez, Kobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore, Sonny Aljofree, Marc Jurado, Isak Hansen-Aareon, Toby Collyer, Maxi Oyedele, Shola Shoretire, Noam Emeran, Joe Hugill, Omari Forson.
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