Manchester United to play Hollywood duo's Wrexham in San Diego friendly

• by Julian Guyer , Mar 27, 2023

Wrexham's reality show rise under owner Ryan Reynolds has sparked interest in the United States. 

English giant Manchester United will play the non-league Wrexham team owned by two Hollywood stars in a San Diego friendly on July 25, it was announced Monday.

This is the first match of United's tour of the United States, designed to help the club prepare for the 2023-24 English season.

Welsh club Wrexham, who play in the National League — the fifth tier of English football's pyramid — have been owned since 2020 by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

This season Wrexham defied the odds to make it to the fourth round of the knockout FA Cup before losing to second-tier Sheffield United in a replay.

Monday's statement said a "youth-focused team drawn from United's traveling tour squad supplemented by Academy prospects will take on Wrexham AFC on 25th July, as part of a week-long training camp in San Diego".

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson added: "We're looking forward to being able to play in the United States for the first time in the club's history. The match against Manchester United is sure to be a memorable occasion at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego."

The match against United is not the only game in the United States on Wrexham's horizon.

Last month it was revealed Wrexham, who has shot to international fame through a reality television series, is to play in a $1 million dollar seven-a-side tournament in North Carolina.

'The Soccer Tournament' is a winner-takes-all competition featuring 32 teams and will be played from June 1-4.

Wrexham has gained a following in the United States as a result of the series "Welcome to Wrexham," which charts the fortunes of the team since Reynolds and McElhenney took charge.

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© Agence France-Presse