When Wrexham, a club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, face Manchester United in a friendly in Helsinki on Saturday, it might seem like a glamorous mismatch. But for both sides, these matches are part of a carefully planned pre-season calendar that sets the tone for the competitive campaign ahead. Pre-season friendlies are exhibition matches played before a league season begins, allowing teams to build match fitness, test new tactics, and integrate returning players — especially after major tournaments like the World Cup.
For clubs in England's top flight, the 2025-26 pre-season has been unusually compressed. The World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico ended on Sunday, leaving just 33 days before the new Premier League season. Many players who reached the latter stages of the World Cup have had minimal rest. According to Opta data, Manchester City carried the highest World Cup workload of any Premier League club, with their players clocking 5,027 minutes at the tournament. Arsenal were second on 4,285 minutes. Goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez (Villa) and Jordan Pickford (Everton) led all outfield players for minutes played. Meanwhile, Brentford had the lightest burden, with just over 600 minutes.
“An explainer on pre-season friendlies in football, their purpose, and the impact of the World Cup on Premier League clubs.”
The purpose of pre-season friendlies goes beyond fitness. For a team like Wrexham, who beat a youthful Manchester United 3-1 in San Diego in 2023, these games offer a chance to test themselves against elite opposition and build momentum. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said playing United is a "great test" and that his team is "not just going to these games to stop the opposition." For Manchester United, the friendly is part of a wider pre-season tour that includes matches in the United States. United boss Michael Carrick will be without several World Cup players, meaning fringe and youth players get opportunities to impress.
Pre-season friendlies also have a commercial aspect, especially tours to the US and Asia. Wrexham's rise under Hollywood ownership has seen them face Chelsea, Bournemouth, and United in recent pre-seasons. Parkinson noted the games have had "the right intensity level" and a "competitive element."
But the condensed schedule also brings risks. Injuries are a major concern. Aston Villa's Amadou Onana ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium's World Cup win over the USA. Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte picked up a knee problem in the group stage, ending his tournament early. Jordan Henderson broke his arm celebrating an England win, and Andy Robertson suffered an ankle injury. Clubs must manage returning players' minutes carefully to avoid burnout.
The case of Marcus Rashford at Manchester United illustrates another pre-season dynamic: reintegrating players who have been out of favour or on loan. After falling out with former manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford spent a season on loan at Aston Villa and then Barcelona, where he helped the Catalans win La Liga. Barcelona did not activate his buyout clause, so Rashford returns to United. Former United striker Dwight Yorke has urged Carrick to "sit down with Marcus Rashford" and bring him back into the fold, arguing it is a risk worth taking. "If it works out, Carrick is the best manager ever," Yorke said.
Pre-season friendlies remain a vital part of the football calendar, balancing physical preparation, tactical experimentation, and business interests. For fans, they offer a first glimpse of new signings and young talents. But as the data on World Cup minutes shows, managing player workload is becoming increasingly important.
Q: Why do Premier League clubs play pre-season friendlies? A: To build match fitness, test new formations, and give players returning from injury or international duty minutes. They also have a commercial role, generating revenue through tours and TV rights.
Q: How does the World Cup affect Premier League pre-season? A: Players who feature deep into the tournament get less rest and may miss friendlies. Clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal had over 4,000 World Cup minutes from their players, increasing injury risk and fatigue.
Q: What happens to players who are out of favour, like Marcus Rashford? A: Pre-season can be a chance for reintegration. After a loan spell, Rashford returns to Manchester United. It is up to the manager to decide whether to include him in first-team plans or sell him.
With the new Premier League season fast approaching, the next few weeks will be crucial. Wrexham will travel to the US after the Helsinki game to face Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland. For Manchester United, decisions on players like Rashford will shape their season. Pre-season friendlies may not count in the table, but they lay the groundwork for what follows.
