Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has stated that Saturday's pre-season friendly against Manchester United in Helsinki, Finland, will be a "very good test" for his team.

With some players still involved in World Cup duties, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not be able to field a full squad, but Parkinson believes the opposition will still have enough first-team players available.

Parkinson said, "For Manchester United, this game is just as important as it is for us. They will have some players returning later, but there will still be quite a few first-team players available."

"This will be a very good test for us. In the past, regardless of the league level we were in, we always viewed such games as an opportunity to test ourselves, and this time will be no different."

He believes that against stronger teams, defensive organisation is particularly important, but the team will not play purely defensively.

"When facing high-level teams, defensive organisation is crucial. But we have always participated in these games not just to limit the opponent, but to play our own football."

In summer 2023, Wrexham, then in League Two, defeated a Manchester United development squad 3-1 in a friendly match in San Diego, USA.

After this match, Wrexham will travel to the USA to continue their pre-season tour, with opponents including Leeds United, Liverpool, and Sunderland.

Parkinson stated that the team has been preparing for the new season through high-level friendly matches in recent seasons.

"Looking back at the past few pre-seasons, especially the trip to the US, we played many high-level matches. For both sides, the most important thing is that the game maintains appropriate intensity and competitiveness."

"Of course, nobody wants to get injured at any stage, especially during pre-season. But whether it was against Chelsea, Bournemouth, or Manchester United in San Diego, those games were very valuable."

"We hope this match will achieve the same effect. I believe it will. Our players need to focus on their own game and ensure that the team's preparation takes another step forward before flying to the US."

In addition, defenders Dom Hyam and Kacper Kozlowski, who represented their respective countries in the World Cup, have returned to pre-season training. Kozlowski played in all three group stage matches for New Zealand, while Hyam did not feature in Scotland's three games.

Speaking about their World Cup experience, Parkinson said: "I kept in touch with them while they were away. Although the results were disappointing, Scotland was in a very difficult group, and New Zealand always faced significant challenges. However, being able to participate in the World Cup is an unforgettable experience in itself."

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