Manchester United are poised to make a historic return to Finland as part of their 2026/27 pre-season preparations, with a lucrative friendly against Hollywood-owned Wrexham on the cards.
Historic Return to Scandinavian Shores
According to reports, United chiefs are finalising plans for the club's summer schedule ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. A key fixture in the making is a money-spinning clash with Championship side Wrexham, which is expected to be staged in Finland.
This match would mark a significant moment for the Premier League giants, as they have not played a game in the Scandinavian nation since the 1965/66 European Cup season. On that occasion, under the management of the legendary Sir Matt Busby, United secured a 3-2 victory against HJK Helsinki.
A Hollywood Rematch with History
The proposed pre-season friendly would represent a rematch between the two clubs, who last met in a summer fixture in 2023. That game, which ended in a 3-1 win for Wrexham, was marred by controversy when a challenge from United's Nathan Bishop left Wrexham striker Paul Mullin with a punctured lung.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was incensed at the time, labelling the challenge "clumsy" and "reckless" and stating it should have been a straight red card. Since that encounter, Wrexham, backed by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have enjoyed a meteoric rise from the National League to the Championship.
Financial Boost and Broader Pre-Season Plans
The fixture is viewed as a major commercial opportunity for both clubs, leveraging Wrexham's global fame and United's enormous fanbase. Away from the Wales-Finland showdown, United are also reportedly planning another pre-season friendly in Gothenburg, Sweden, indicating a Scandinavian focus for their summer tour.
For Wrexham, currently 15th in the Championship with 28 points from 21 games, the chance to face elite opposition again is a testament to their rapid progress and continued box-office appeal.
