Manchester United beaten by Wrexham in first game of pre-season as summer signing makes debut

Michael Carrick was taking charge of his first game since being appointed as the club’s permanent head coach this summer, after a successful second spell as caretaker. United were downed by Sam Smith’s first-half goal just before half time, as the former Reading striker tapped home from close range after good work from Lewis O’Brien down the left flank, getting to the byline and fizzing a low cross across the six-yard box. The Red Devils’ centre-backs Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire were caught napping as Smith stole in unmarked and prodded in what proved to be the winner past Tom Heaton. Andrey Santos, United’s new £48million summer signing, was handed a first start in his new colours, but he had a quiet first 45 minutes in a United shirt, starting next to his fellow former Chelsea man Mason Mount in the double pivot of Carrick’s 4-2-3-1. Debut: Andrey SantosGettyThe Red Devils insist that the pair will be fit for the start of the league campaign. Carrick will not be too pleased with his side ‘s performance in either half, with a fresh XI taking to the Olympic Stadium pitch in the second period, consisting of U21 and U18 prospects. In the first half, the recognised first-team fixtures that had not had World Cup call-ups, the likes of Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire (famously) and Mount, while those whose countries hadn’t made it, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, were also handed starts. United, who finished third in the Premier League under Carrick last term, failed to really stir up any kind of excitement in their play, but more will be expected of them as they progress through pre-season. Read MoreNext up, they take on Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway.