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United and Wrexham in talks for repeat pre-season friendly on proposed Scandinavia trip

United in talks with Wrexham for a repeat pre-season friendly on a planned Scandinavia trip in 2026

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Manchester United are reported to be in discussions with Wrexham about a potential repeat of the sides’ dramatic friendly next summer. The previous meeting ended 3–1 to Wrexham and included a serious injury to striker Paul Mullin, who suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs following a challenge from young goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, who would leave United just weeks later.

According to the Daily Mail, United are interested in arranging another fixture with the Championship outfit. The proposed match is expected to be one of two friendlies during the Red Devils’ planned trip to Scandinavia, rather than the United States where the earlier meeting took place.

Club officials are debating how the 2026 World Cup might affect summer demand. Some believe the tournament will boost interest in matches that summer, while others fear fans will be fatigued by the time United begin friendlies. Ticket sales are central to that decision and reduced demand would likely prompt a different approach, given the significant logistical upheaval of a trip to the United States.

For Wrexham, the proposed friendly would provide a celebration following their first season back in the Championship. The Red Dragons had been among the title favourites during their time in the lower divisions but have since found themselves in a genuine battle in the second tier. The Championship is described as famously difficult to escape and often goes right down to the wire.

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At the time the potential friendly was reported, Wrexham sit 14th in the Championship standings, four points adrift of the playoff places and 10 clear of the relegation zone. New investment from Apollo Sports Capital has been cited as a boost to the club’s long-term aim of reaching the Premier League and, potentially, meeting United at the top level.

Championship

Apollo Sports Capital Takes Minority Stake as Wrexham Pursues Premier League Goal

Apollo Sports Capital joins Wrexham as minority investors backing the club’s Premier League ambition

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Wrexham have announced a new minority investment from Apollo Sports Capital (ASC) as the club continues its long-term objective of reaching the Premier League. BBC report the stake is thought to be less than 10%, leaving Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as the majority shareholders and controlling owners of the oldest club in Wales. The two Hollywood stars purchased Wrexham back in 2020 and have led the once forgotten side from the National League to the Championship.

“From day one, we wanted to build a sustainable future for Wrexham Association Football Club. And to do it with a little heart and humour,” Reynolds and McElhenney said in a joint-statement.

“The dream has always been to take this club to the Premier League while staying true to the town. Growth like that takes world-class partners who share our vision and ambition, and Apollo absolutely does. We have known Al Tylis, the CEO of Apollo Sports Capital, for many years and are thrilled to now have ASC join the Wrexham family as we take the next step forward together.”

Al Tylis, Reynolds and McElhenney also hold minority stakes in Liga MX side Necaxa and Colombian side La Equidad. The broader investor group includes Eva Longoria, two-time World Series champion Justin Verlander and his wife, Kate Upton.

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On the field, Wrexham are in their first Championship campaign in 43 years and currently sit 12th in the standings through 19 games. Phil Parkinson’s men are just three points off the playoff places, helped by a nine-game unbeaten streak in England’s second-tier.

“Wrexham is on an incredible journey, and we are thrilled to be a part of it and to support the club, the Wrexham community and Rob and Ryan,” said Apollo Partner and ASC Co-Portfolio Manager Lee Solomon.

“This is a multi-faceted investment where Apollo Sports Capital can provide long-term, patient capital to help Wrexham reach its goals and to contribute to the ongoing revitalization of the facilities and local economy.”

Securing a place in the Premier League seemed impossible for the Red Dragons just four years ago, and yet now, they are closer than ever before, with new financial backing to help them along the way.

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Solskjær Signals Openness to Championship Return After Beşiktaş Exit

Former United manager says he is open to Championship jobs after Beşiktaş exit and a fresh start…

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Ole Gunnar Solskjær has made clear he is prepared to consider a return to English football at a lower level after his brief spell in Turkey ended. The 52-year-old, who coached Molde and Cardiff City before his time at Manchester United, accepted the Beşiktaş job in January 2025 and was dismissed seven months later.

Solskjær said he is not closing doors as he searches for his next post and indicated the Championship would interest him. “I’m looking and I’m open. It’s not that I’m desperate to get back in but I’m open. I love living here [in England],” he revealed on The Overlap .

The former Manchester United player and manager stressed that location is secondary to the work itself. “When my kids ask me, of course, mid-Championship and up. I’m a football man. Is it Norway, it is Sweden, wherever. I’m a football man. It’s about working with people. I’m just trying to make them be the best version of themselves. Whenever I was playing Football Manager, I would start with a team [lower down].

“I’ve always defied the odds, that’s the way I’ve always been and I’d love to prove [myself].”

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Solskjær’s past includes a short managerial spell with Cardiff in the Championship in 2014–15, experience he could draw on if he opted to return to England’s second tier. At present, three Championship vacancies could be available to him should he pursue a comeback: Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Southampton are all searching for new head coaches.

Having taken several years away from management before his move to Beşiktaş, Solskjær’s recent comments underline a willingness to adapt his expectations in pursuit of a new challenge. Any decision to re-enter English football would follow a high-profile coaching career and a very public period in Turkey that ended after seven months.

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