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Carrick hails Manchester United youngsters despite Wrexham’s pre-season defeat
19th July, 2026 07:29 AM
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick praised the attitude and performance of Manchester United’s emerging talents following the club’s 1-0 pre-season loss to Wrexham on Saturday, July 18, 2026, saying the youngsters showed maturity and composure despite the defeat.
United completely changed their lineup at the interval, with a youthful second-half side taking over after Sam Smith’s first-half goal had given Wrexham the lead. Although the Reds could not find an equaliser, Carrick was encouraged by the way his inexperienced players controlled large parts of the second period.
The head coach highlighted the team’s ability to handle a difficult opponent and insisted the match provided valuable experience as preparations for the new campaign continue.
Carrick pleased
“I was really pleased with the second-half team,” Carrick told MUTV. “I thought they controlled the game really well against a team that is not easy to play against.
“They make you work for it. They can play long into Kieffer Moore and JD [Jacob Devaney] playing centre-half, it’s not natural to him. He’s played a little bit there but not a lot, I thought he did ever so well.
“In general, the boys took responsibility and showed their quality. Again, that final bit of trying to break down a lot of bodies in front of the ball, at this stage, it’s not easy to find that sharpness and that extra little bit of creation.
“But that will come. I was really pleased with the young players [in the] second half and they can really be proud of themselves.”
Among those to impress was Jacob Devaney, who recently returned from a productive loan spell with Scottish side St Mirren. Operating in central defence alongside Dan Armer, Devaney coped well with the aerial and physical challenge posed by striker Kieffer Moore.
Carrick believes the defender has strengthened his case for further opportunities during United’s pre-season programme, which continues with a trip to Norway to face Rosenborg.
“For sure,” added Carrick. “He had a really successful few months up in Scotland.
“It was good to see him take that next step. The confidence and assurance in his game, even though he was playing a slightly different position. He was vocal, he was commanding. I liked a lot of what he did today.”
Fletcher impresses
Teenage midfielder Tyler Fletcher also earned praise after captaining the team in the second half, taking over the armband from Harry Maguire. Fletcher recently represented Scotland at the FIFA World Cup before returning to United for pre-season.
Having already made a substitute appearance in the club’s final Premier League match of last season against Brighton & Hove Albion, the youngster produced another calm and disciplined display.
“He’s had an eventful three or four months, Tyler,” suggested Carrck. “He didn’t want long off [after the World Cup], he wanted to get back into it.
“He took that responsibility and led the team [in the] second half really well.”
