New blood was injected into Manchester United's midfield as Andrey Santos burst onto the scene in Helsinki, but it proved to be a baptism by fire for the Brazilian midfielder and his new teammates. In their first outing since securing Santos' £48 million transfer from Chelsea, United took an early pre-season loss at Wrexham's hands, going down 1-0 in a friendly that was as much about squad assessment as on-field performance.
Santos, just 22 years young, slotted straight into the midfield engine room alongside Mason Mount and immediately showed why he's got everyone so excited at Old Trafford. His passing range is top-notch, and he won his fair share of battles in the first half – no mean feat for a debutant.
The only goal came courtesy of Sam Smith six minutes before the interval, tapping in from Lewis O'Brien's pinpoint cross that somehow found its way through Harry Maguire's legs. Earlier, Smith had almost turned provider with an own goal attempt against his crossbar while defending a corner, which would have been a real banana skin for United to slip up on.
The teams made wholesale changes at the break, with Michael Carrick introducing a largely academy-based side to face Wrexham's revitalised attack. The second half was all about youth versus experience, with Conor Coady and Kieffer Moore among those brought on by the National League outfit to test United's emerging talent.
While possession was largely in their favour, it was a case of so near yet so far for Carrick's side as they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Ethan Wheatley's 78th-minute effort was the first real shot on target, and Dan Ward saved it with ease – all part of a valuable learning curve for United ahead of the new season.
This friendly may not have yielded the desired result, but it's been an invaluable exercise in assessing both the senior pros and the club's emerging talent against a Wrexham side fresh from their own pre-season opener against Wisla Krakow.