Wrexham AFC vs Manchester United: Last 5 Competitive Meetings

Wrexham AFC will travel to the US in a highly anticipated preseason ahead of their League Two season. They will square off with Premier League giants Manchester United at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego on July 25. The teams last played against each other in a competitive game in 1995.

With the excitement building up for the game, it’s time to reflect on the history between the two sides. We will take a comprehensive look at the last five competitive meetings between the Red Dragons and the Red Devils. 

Manchester United 5-2 Wrexham AFC: FA Cup (1995)

It was a game to forget for the Welsh club. They visited Old Trafford on January 28, 1995, to take on United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. United thrashed Wrexham 5-2, with Dennis Irwin [17′, 73′ (p)], Ryan Giggs [26′], and Brian McClair [67′] on the scoresheet for United. Tony Humes [80′] scored an own goal. Kieron Durkan [9′] and Jonathan Cross [89′] were on target for Brian Flynn’s side. 

Manchester United starting lineup:

Peter Schmeichel, Dennis Irwin, Phil Neville, David May, Gary Pallister, Roy Keane, Lee Sharpe, Paul Ince, Brian McClair, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs

Wrexham AFC starting lineup:

Andy Marriott, Barry Jones, Phil Hardy, Bryan Hughes, Barry Hunter, Tony Humes, Gary Bennett, Gareth Owen, Karl Connolly, Steve Watkin, Kieron Durkan

Wrexham AFC 0-2 Manchester United: European Cup Winner’s Cup (1990)

On November 07, 1990, United visited Racecourse Ground for the second leg in the second round of the European Cup Winner’s Cup. They came into the game with a 3-0 win in the first leg. Brian Flynn’s side weren’t able to turn the tables and lost 2-0 to the Red Devils. Mark Robins [31′] and Steve Bruce [35′] were on target for Alex Ferguson’s side, giving them a 5-0 aggregate win. 

Wrexham AFC starting eleven:

Mark Morris, Andy Thackeray, Phil Hardy, Geoff Hunter, Nigel Beaumont, Wayne Phillips, Brian Flynn, Gareth Owen, Chris Armstrong, Lee Jones, Graham Cooper

Manchester United starting eleven:

Les Sealey, Denis Irwin, Clayton Blackmore, Steve Bruce, Mike Phelan, Gary Pallister, Neil Webb, Paul Ince, Brian McClair, Mark Robins, Danny Wallace

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Manchester United 3-0 Wrexham AFC: European Cup Winner’s Cup (1990)

The Welsh club visited Old Trafford for the first leg of the European Cup Winner’s Cup second round. 4500 away fans traveled to support Brian Flynn’s side in the European game that saw United emerging victorious.

Brian McClair [40′], Steve Bruce [42′ (p)], and Gary Pallister [59′] gave Alex Ferguson’s side an advantage going into the second leg.

Manchester United starting eleven:

Les Sealey, Clayton Blackmore, Lee Martin, Steve Bruce, Lee Sharpe, Gary Pallister, Neil Webb, Paul Ince, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Danny Wallace

Wrexham AFC starting eleven:

Mark Morris, Wayne Phillips, Alan Kennedy, Sean Reck, Nigel Beaumont, Mike Williams, Brian Flynn, Gareth Owen, Chris Armstrong, Graham Cooper, Jon Bowden 

Manchester United 2-0 Wrexham AFC: Football League Cup (1969)

The world’s third-oldest soccer club visited Old Trafford on September 23, 1969. They took on United in front of 48,315 fans in the third round of the Football League Cup. The Red Dragons were playing in the fourth division then. United side under Wilf McGuinness emerged victorious with goals from Brian Kidd [10′] and George Best [63′]. The Welsh club under John Neal wasn’t able to produce any magic, resulting in another loss.

Manchester United starting eleven:

Alex Stepney, John Fitzpatrick, Tony Dunne, Francis Burns, Ian Ure, Dave Sadler, Willie Morgan, Brian Kidd, Bobby Charlton, Alan Gowling, George Best

Wrexham AFC starting eleven:

Dave Gaskell, Steve Ingle, Alan Bermingham, Gareth Davies, Eddie May, Mickey Evans, Ian Moir, Bobby Park, Ray Smith, Albert Kinsey, Arfon Griffiths

Wrexham AFC 0-5 Manchester United: FA Cup (1957)

The Red Dragons, coached by Cliff Lloyd, welcomed the United side managed by Matt Busby in the fourth round of the FA Cup game on January 26, 1957. Liam Whelan [7′, 47′], Roger Byrne [16′ (p)], and Tommy Taylor [37′, 56′] gave the Red Devils a thumping 5-0 win. It was another disappointing result for Wrexham in front of 34,445 fans on the Racecourse Ground. They last managed to win against United in 1944. 

Wrexham AFC starting lineup:

Billy Waters, Aly McGowan, Albert Parker, Bill Green, Alan Fox, Fred Davis, Gren Jones, Ron Hewitt, Peter Thompson, Johnny Anderson, David Jones

Manchester United starting eleven:

Ray Wood, Bill Foulkes, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, Duncan Edwards, Colin Webster, Liam Whelan, Tommy Taylor, Dennis Viollet, David Pegg

Looking at the last five competitive fixtures, it’s not good news for Wrexham ahead of their preseason friendly. They have lost all those five games. Overall, the Red Dragons played 17 times against United in competitive fixtures and managed to win only twice. They lost 14 of those scoring 20 goals and conceding a whooping 66.

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It will be interesting to see how Wrexham plays against United this time in a preseason friendly. One thing is clear, it’s going to be a great learning experience for the Red Dragons ahead of their League Two season.