Former Wrexham striker Jack Hyde opens up what it’s like to play against Manchester United and what it means to face a side of such a high caliber.
The 33-year-old striker was one of the Welsh club’s first high-profile signings after being snapped up by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but his game time has been limited due to injury problems.
Hyde left the club this summer after his contract expired, meaning he also missed the club’s high-profile pre-season tour of the United States, which included a win over Manchester United’s academy side.
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A year ago, however, he had already been given the chance to play against them in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Carrington, with Christian Eriksen scoring a free-kick in his first game for the club.
Speaking about his time in North Wales, the Yeovil striker lifted the lid on the August 2022 friendly and what it will be like facing Raphael Varane.
“It was a great experience,” Hyde told Rob Ryan Redd. “I think I played thirty minutes against Manchester United. It was a fantastic experience and something Wrexham are working towards.
“I came on, we took a goal kick and Varane was kicking the ball. I just stood there looking at him and said, ‘This guy won the World Cup’. I won the header and then Varane came off. Already, I was like, ‘100% record; what else can I do?’ So that was good. To be honest, they were a step above them, but they always do. It’s great to watch in real life To this point.”
Hyde can maintain his perfect record against the France international, but equally memorable for him that day was what happened when Wrexham took a shocking lead in the first minute.
Aaron Hayden made the most of the moment when he headed in from the corner, with the Portugal legend watching from the sidelines as Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebrations took over.
Asked if the folklore about the goal was correct, Hyde added: “It’s a fact, I can confirm it! Ronaldo was standing there, watching the game from the side. So Ronaldo witnessed it. Aza (Aaron) ) did what he did; he got it he got above someone from the corner and he scored a minute later.
“Then he ran to the corner; all the boys were jogging behind him to congratulate him. He ran away and just said, ‘Siuuuuu!’. All the boys were like, ‘Oh my God, what did I just see?’ he said to himself. This was one of the most unforgettable things I have ever witnessed. “