Manchester United produced a commanding display to defeat Norwegian side Rosenborg 5–0 in an entertaining preseason friendly, handing new manager Michael Carrick his first victory since taking charge. A vibrant attacking performance led by Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee delighted supporters as several academy stars also seized the opportunity to impress ahead of the new Premier League season.
Played in Trondheim, the friendly offered Carrick another opportunity to evaluate his squad while building momentum during preseason preparations. United responded with an energetic performance, dominating possession, creating numerous chances and keeping a clean sheet in what was one of their most complete displays of the summer.
The visitors wasted little time asserting their authority. From the opening whistle, Manchester United pressed aggressively, controlled the midfield and pinned Rosenborg deep inside their own half. Their quick passing combinations and movement off the ball repeatedly stretched the Norwegian defense.
United’s breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute through Joshua Zirkzee, who produced the moment of the match. Receiving possession near the halfway line, the Dutch striker drove confidently toward goal, gliding past several defenders before calmly slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper to give the Premier League side a deserved 1–0 advantage.
The impressive goal highlighted the qualities that made Zirkzee one of United’s most exciting attacking players. His combination of strength, close control and composure in front of goal immediately lifted the confidence of his teammates.
Manchester United doubled their lead in the 32nd minute after another flowing move. Zirkzee turned provider this time, delivering a perfectly weighted pass into the path of highly rated youngster Shea Lacey, who kept his composure before finishing confidently into the bottom corner for 2–0.
Lacey’s goal was another reminder of the remarkable talent emerging from United’s academy. The teenager consistently troubled Rosenborg’s defenders with his intelligent movement, pace and technical ability throughout the contest.
Carrick’s side continued to dominate after the interval and extended their lead in the 53rd minute through Jack Moorhouse Devaney. The midfielder capitalized on a defensive mistake inside the penalty area before firing an accurate finish into the net, making it 3–0.
Rosenborg struggled to cope with United’s relentless attacking pressure, while the English side maintained complete control of possession. The Norwegian club found few opportunities to threaten United’s defense as the visitors comfortably dictated the tempo.
The fourth goal arrived in the 68th minute, courtesy of promising full back Harry Amass. After an excellent team move involving several quick passes around the edge of the area, Amass surged forward before striking a powerful effort beyond the goalkeeper to further underline Manchester United’s dominance.
United completed the scoring in the 82nd minute when Ethan Williams found the back of the net. The young attacker reacted quickest inside the penalty area following a loose ball and calmly finished to seal an emphatic 5–0 victory.
Beyond the goals, several individual performances stood out.
Joshua Zirkzee delivered arguably his finest performance of preseason, contributing one spectacular goal and one assist while linking play effectively throughout the match. His movement created space for teammates, and his confidence on the ball suggested he could play a significant role during the upcoming campaign.
Shea Lacey also continued his impressive development. The academy graduate combined creativity with maturity beyond his years and looked comfortable against senior opposition. His intelligent positioning and willingness to attack defenders provided another encouraging sign for Carrick.
Harry Amass and Ethan Williams also enhanced their reputations with composed displays, while Devaney showcased his ability to arrive late in attacking positions and contribute goals from midfield.
Defensively, Manchester United looked equally solid. The back line remained organized throughout the contest, limiting Rosenborg to very few clear opportunities while the midfield worked tirelessly to recover possession whenever it was lost.
The clean sheet will particularly please Carrick, whose tactical approach emphasized compact defending alongside quick transitions into attack.
The victory also represented an important confidence boost for the new manager as he continues implementing his ideas ahead of the competitive season. Carrick praised the intensity shown by his players and the willingness of experienced professionals and academy graduates to work together as a cohesive unit.
Despite the convincing scoreline, preseason remains focused on preparation rather than results alone. Carrick is expected to continue rotating his squad during upcoming friendlies as he determines his strongest lineup before the Premier League campaign begins.
One player who experienced mixed emotions was highly rated youngster JJ Gabriel, who was included in the matchday squad but remained an unused substitute. The teenager later shared a brief social media message emphasizing patience, suggesting he remains determined to earn his first senior appearance in the near future.
Away from the pitch, transfer speculation surrounding Manchester United continues to intensify. Reports suggest the club is monitoring Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins should Joshua Zirkzee depart amid interest from Juventus and Roma. United are also linked with midfield reinforcements, including Eduardo Camavinga and Manu Koné, as Carrick seeks further balance within his squad.
However, the immediate focus remains on preseason preparations.
Manchester United will now turn their attention to another high-profile friendly against Atletico Madrid, where Carrick will have another opportunity to test his squad against elite European opposition.
If the performance against Rosenborg is any indication, supporters have reasons for optimism. The combination of experienced first-team players and exciting academy graduates produced an entertaining display full of energy, creativity and attacking intent.
While tougher challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, Manchester United’s comprehensive victory in Norway offered an encouraging glimpse of the direction the club hopes to take under Michael Carrick as preparations continue for the new season.
Match Summary
Rosenborg 0–5 Manchester United
Goals
18′ Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) 0–1
32′ Shea Lacey (Manchester United, assist: Joshua Zirkzee) 0–2
53′ Jack Devaney (Manchester United) 0–3
68′ Harry Amass (Manchester United) 0–4
82′ Ethan Williams (Manchester United) 0–5
