Manchester United vs Wrexham score, result as Red Dragons beat Red Devils in summer friendly

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Simon Borg
• 14 min read
Aaron Hayden goal celebration Wrexham vs Manchester United July 25, 2023
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Manchester United opted to field a youthful side for a preseason summer friendly and they paid the price, as English fourth division side Wrexham ran out 3-1 winners in front of a pro-Wrexham crowd at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

The Red Dragons were simply more effective than the younger Red Devils, who fielded many Under-21 players with the first team focused on a match against Real Madrid on tap the next day in Houston.

But the final result was overshadowed by an injury to Wrexham's star striker Paul Mullin, who was leveled by Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop early in the first half and was transported to a local hospital. The club kicks off its 2023/24 season in 11 days against MK Dons on August 5.

"He's got a small puncture in his lung and he's in hospital at the moment," Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told ESPN after the match. "It's a clumsy challenge from the goalkeeper, and he didn't need to make it. It's a dangerous challenge and he should've been off the pitch. It's a massive blow to us to lose Paul."

After the injury, Wrexham began to impose themselves, finally getting the opening goal on the half-hour mark off a well-executed cross and first-time finish from Elliot Lee. Another cross and a header by defender Aaron Hayden allowed Wrexham to double their lead, and forward Sam Dalby iced the match with another header late in the second half.

Manchester United's goal just before halftime gave them hope of a comeback, but they had no semblance of ideas in attack and struggled to get behind Wrexham. They were not helped by going down a man shortly into the second half as captain Daniel Gore received a straight red card for a studs-up challenge in midfield.

MORE: How Man United's squad looks heading into 2023/24

Manchester United vs Wrexham final score

  Final Goal scorers
Man United 1 - Marc Jurado (Alvaro Fernandez) 51+'
Wrexham 3 - Elliot Lee (Liam McAlinden) 29'
- Aaron Hayden (Max Cleworth) 36'
- Sam Dalby (Jacob Mendy) 69'

Lineups:

Man United 1st Half lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 30. Nathan Bishop (GK) — 54. Marc Jurado, 48. Will Fish, 27. Jonny Evans, 42. Alvaro Fernandez — 44-Daniel Gore, 65. Toby Collyer — 47. Shola Shoretire, 46. Hannibal Mejbri, 59. Isak Hansen-Aaroen — 52. Joe Hugill

Man United 2nd Half lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 40. Radek Vitek (GK) — 54. Marc Jurado, 48. Will Fish, 27. Jonny Evans (53. Willy Kambwala 74'), 42. Alvaro Fernandez — 44-Daniel Gore, 65. Toby Collyer (69. Sonny Aljofree 60') — 47. Shola Shoretire (61. Mateo Mejia 68'), 46. Hannibal Mejbri, 59. Isak Hansen-Aaroen (68. Maxi Oyedele 60') — 52. Joe Hugill (56. Charlie McNeil 68')

Wrexham 1st Half lineup (5-3-2, right to left): 12. Ben Foster (GK) — 14. Anthony Forde, 5. Aaron Hayden, 4. Ben Tozer, 32. Max Cleworth, 3. Callum McFadzean — 11. Liam McAlinden, 22. Thomas O'Connor, 38. Elliot Lee — 9. Ollie Palmer, 10. Paul Mullin (19. Billy Waters 19')

Wrexham 2nd Half lineup (5-3-2, right to left): 21. Mark Howard (GK) — 29. Ryan Barnett, 17. Bryce Hosannah, 15. Eoghan O'Connell, 25. Will Boyle, 19. Jacob Mendy — 7. Jordan Davies, 20. Andy Cannon, 30. James Jones — 18. Sam Dalby, 16. Billy Waters

Paul Mullin out with punctured lung

The Wrexham forward was the victim of a vicious collision, with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop making sure he took out the forward after coming off his line.

Bishop applied his full momentum to the clash as he accelerated into Mullin, leading many to believe that the action should've resulted in a straight red card for excessive force. The referee only showed him a yellow card, and Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was not happy about it.

According to the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute, recovery can take anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks depending on the level of pain felt by the athlete.

Bishop has since attempted to reach out to Mullin, and made public his apology online, while Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has Mullin on his mind. He's the club's best player with 46 goals in 51 matches in 2022/23.

How did Manchester United play?

With Erik ten Hag watching on the bench behind Under-21 manager Travis Binnion, several of the Under-21 players had an opportunity to leave an impression with the first-team coach, but very few took it.

Although right-back Marc Jurado scored the goal, he spent the second half in scramble mode chasing Wrexham's left wing-back. Centre-back Will Fish struggled defensively, both goalkeepers were not flawless, and the much talked-about Isak Hansen-Aaroen was plenty of flash, but no substance.

The sharpest of the Man United players was captain Daniel Gore, but he wound up sent off, though on replay the decision looked harsh as he was pulling out of his high, studs-up challenge. With no VAR available, video replay could not rescue him, but he also didn't need to be so aggressive in the middle of the field.

Central midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and left-back Alvaro Fernandez were technically superior, but they've already shown they can hang with the first-team (the Fernandez cross on the goal was high quality).

Manchester United vs Wrexham live updates, highlights, commentary

Final: Manchester United 1-3 Wrexham

79th min.: Chance Wrexham! Man United can't find a way through Wrexham's defense, but when the Welsh side has the ball, they are dangerous on the other end.

Right centre-back Bryce Hosannah takes a turn to make a run into the box, but Man United goalkeeper Radek Vitek comes off his line to snuff out the danger.

69th min.: Goal Wrexham! And it's another instance of Wrexham just being more effective with their play. Sam Dalby gets the ball from 20 yards out with space, but he picks out Jacob Mendy on the left, who whips in a cross back at Dalby for the nodded finish. A clinical give-and-go goal.

60th min.: SUBS Man United. Two players enter the fray, as United move to a back three (Sonny Aljofree joins Jonny Evans and Will Fish at centre-back) with Hannibal moving deep into midfield to jumpstart the attacking buildup.

58th min.: Mendy has had an active start to this second half and he whipped in back-to-back dangerous crosses from the left that don't find a teammate. Man United right-back Marc Jurado is going to be busy.

47th min.: Red card to Man United captain Daniel Gore! He was showing his studs on his midfield challenge against Wrexham's Cannon, and the referee had no doubt. Gore looked like he was pulling back his leg, but there is no VAR for this match.

46th min.: Second half is underway, and as promised, Wrexham change their entire squad except for Billy Waters.

Halftime: Manchester United 1-2 Wrexham

Halftime: Man United were buzzing to start the match, only for Wrexham to come on strong after the injury to Paul Mullin caused by Man United 'keeper Nathan Bishop for a reckless collision after he sized him up.

ESPN is reporting that Mullin was taken to a local hospital, while his teammates put two past Man United on clever play in the box. But Wrexham sat back to end the half, and the United pressure resulted in a cross and finish just before the halftime whistle.

51st+ min.: Goal Manchester United! And Wrexham allowed Man United to come at them with too many numbers at the end. Left-back Alvaro Fernandez had time to whip in a cross to the far post, and right-back Marc Jurado gets to the cross and hits it first time past Wrexham's Ben Foster.

45th min.: Five minutes of stoppage time. Wrexham are letting Man United have the ball, content to see this half end at 2-0. Wrexham left wing-back Callum McFadzean picks up a booking for a foul on Man United right winger Shola Shoretire.

36th min.: Goal Wrexham! A patented long throw-in by Ben Tozer is flicked on at the near post by Max Cleworth, and centre-back Aaron Hayden heads it home at the far post. 

Wrexham may not have the technique of Man United, but they're out-muscling and out-thinking their younger counterparts.

29th min.: Goal Wrexham! A sensational inswinging delivery from the right into the middle of the box, and Palmer goes up for the header, but the ball falls to Elliot Lee, who was crashing the box from his left flank. Well-worked goal.

26th min.: The San Diego crowd are booing Man United 'keeper Nathan Bishop every time he touches the ball. This is a Wrexham crowd.

22nd min.: Chance Wrexham! It's Elliot Lee coming off the left wing onto his right foot, combining with forward Ollie Palmer, and then firing a shot which the Man United 'keeper scrambles to save.

After Man United were knocking the ball about to start, it's been Wrexham coming on strong.

18th min.: After six minutes of stoppage, Mullin is walking off the field with an oxygen mask on and he's hunched over in pain. That was a poor challenge by Man United 'keeper Bishop. It comes 11 days before Wrexham's first game back in English fourth tier.

Mullin heads straight down the tunnel to the locker as Bill Waters replaces him.

12th min.: Chance Wrexham! The ball is sent over the top to Paul Mullin, who beats Jonny Evans, and Man United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop collides into Mullin. And Bishop wasn't going after the ball. 

Bishop gets a yellow card on the play, but in another circumstance he would've been sent off for fouling Mullin just ouside the box.

Mullin stays down. He's Wrexham's best player and it's not what any Wrexham supporter wanted to see 15 minutes into this game. Medics are on the field. It looks like he will be replaced by Billy Waters.

7th min.: Interesting that it's Wrexham getting the louder cheers at the stadium as Wrexham's front two combine around the Man United box. But the chance fades away.

3rd min.: What a run by Wrexham wing-back Liam McAlinden, who tracked back to totally overwhelm United's Toby Collyer and easily strip the ball away.

1st min.: The match is underway.

Kickoff

5 minutes until kickoff: The teams are on the field and we're moments away from kickoff. Wrexham are in red, and Man United will be wearing the striped jersey at Snapdragon Stadium.

30 minutes until kickoff: Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney speaking to ESPN ahead of the match:

"What Ryan [Reynolds] and I know for sure is that we know absolutely nothing about football. We just try to hire the right people to build the right culture and we trust Phil Parkinson."

45 minutes until kickoff: Here are the lineups for the match:

1 hour until kickoff: Wait, what? Erik Ten Hag has not watched the Wrexham documentary? The Man United manager also confirms the team he's putting out against Wrexham.

Man United vs Wrexham lineups

With Ten Hag and United's senior players preparing for a match with Real Madrid in Texas just a day later, the Red Devils will be fielding a young-looking side against Wrexham manager by Under-21 coach Travis Binnion with Ten Hag in attendance.

The players will be hoping to impress their manager, while veteran centre-back Jonny Evans gets another run-out in defence, though it will be holding mid Daniel Gore who will be wearing the captain's armband.

Man United lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 30. Nathan Bishop (GK) — 54. Marc Jurado, 48. Will Fish, 27. Jonny Evans, 42. Alvaro Fernandez — 44-Daniel Gore, 65. Toby Collyer — 47. Shola Shoretire, 46. Hannibal Mejbri, 59. Isak Hansen-Aaroen — 52. Joe Hugill

Man United subs (9): Vitek (GK), Harrison, Mee, 69. Sonny Aljofree, Kambwala, Pye, 68. Maxi Oyedele, McNeil, Mejia

Wrexham are working hard to get in shape ahead of the new campaign and Phil Parkinson is fielding a strong team in San Diego, with many of the faces who helped the club earn promotion to League Two.

Manager Phil Parkinson has already made clear he'll be making wholesale changes at halftime.

Wrexham lineup (5-3-2, right to left): 12. Ben Foster (GK) — 14. Anthony Forde, 5. Aaron Hayden, 4. Ben Tozer, 32. Max Cleworth, 3. Callum McFadzean — 11. Liam McAlinden, 22. Thomas O'Connor, 38. Elliot Lee — 9. Ollie Palmer, 10. Paul Mullin

Wrexham subs (11): 1. Rob Lainton (GK), 21. Mark Howard (GK), 15. Eoghan O'Connell, 17. Bryce Hosannah, 25. Will Boyle, 19. Jacob Mendy, 29. Ryan Barnett, 7. Jordan Davies, 20. Andy Cannon, 30. James Jones, 16. Billy Waters, 18. Sam Dalby

Man United vs Wrexham live stream, TV channel

This preseason friendly takes place at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, and kicks off on Tuesday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. local time.

The match will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes in the USA with both channels streaming on Fubo, which is available on a free trial for new users. ESPN+ will also provide a stream for subscribers.

In Australia, fans can watch the match on Paramount+.

MUTV will broadcast the match live to viewers across the rest of the world with monthly passes available for £7.99 an annual subscription at £29.99. 

MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA and on Fubo in Canada

  Date Kickoff time TV Streaming
USA Tue, July 25 10:30 p.m. ET ESPN2, ESPN Deportes Fubo, ESPN+
Canada Tue, July 25 10:30 p.m. ET MUTV MUTV
UK Wed, July 26 3:30 a.m. BST MUTV MUTV
Australia Wed, July 26 12:30 p.m. AEST — Paramount+
India Wed, July 26 8:00 a.m. IST MUTV MUTV
Hong Kong Wed, July 26 10:30 a.m. HKT MUTV MUTV
Malaysia Wed, July 26 10:30 a.m. MYT MUTV MUTV
Singapore Wed, July 26 10:30 a.m. SGT MUTV MUTV
New Zealand Wed, July 26 2:30 p.m. NZST MUTV MUTV
Author(s)
Author Photo
Simon Borg
Simon Borg is a senior editor for football/soccer at The Sporting News.
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