With the World Cup now wrapped up, club football is back centre-stage as clubs embark on world tours to build fitness, try out tactical ideas and tweaks, settle into their new squads and of course cash in on some commercial opportunities. Manchester United already have one game under their belt following the defeat to Wrexham, but another trip to Scandinavia to take on Norwegian side Rosenborg gave United and their youngsters a chance to flex their attacking muscles as several players put on a positive performance to give big questions to Carrick over his squad for the upcoming campaign.

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Teams

Manchester United: Vitek (Mee 72′), Shaw (Kamason 46′), Heaven (Armer 61′), Maguire (Amass 46′), Yoro (Gore 61′), Mount (Fletcher 61′), Santos (Devaney 61′), Dorgu (Collyer 61′), Lacey (Fletcher 61′), Mbeumo (Obi 61′), Zirkzee (Williams 61′)

Subs: Heaton, Thwaites, Gabriel

Rosenborg: Wahlstedt, Pereira (Slordal 46′), Nemcik (Rosten 46′), Volden (Witry 60′), Mortensen (Ceide 60′), Fossum (Dahl 46′), Selnaes (Borgensen 46′ – Hald-Hernes 88′), Bomholt (Bakke 46′ – Hedman 73′), Sahsah (Duris 46′), Chiakha (Ceide 46′), Reitan-Sunde (Soboczynski 46′)

Subs: Amdam, Sandberg

Manchester United 5-0 Rosenborg

Manchester United produced an impressive display to record a commanding 5-0 victory over Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion on Friday evening, securing their first win of pre-season in convincing fashion. After an encouraging but frustrating opening defeat to Wrexham, Michael Carrick’s side looked far sharper in possession, pressing with intensity and moving the ball confidently throughout. United took the lead through the lively Shea Lacey, whose composed finish capped off an excellent flowing move, before Joshua Zirkzee doubled the advantage after the break with a moment of individual quality. The Red Devils controlled proceedings from start to finish, rarely allowing the Norwegian hosts a sight of goal as they continued to build fitness and confidence ahead of the new campaign.

The second half showcased the strength of United’s academy and squad depth, with a host of young talents making a real impression. Jacob Devaney added a deserved third after arriving late into the penalty area, while Harry Amass marked another assured performance with a well-taken fourth goal following an incisive attacking move. Ethan Williams completed the scoring late on, finishing clinically after sustained pressure from the visitors. Zirkzee was at the heart of much of United’s attacking play, combining cleverly with those around him and providing both a goal and an assist, while Mason Mount dictated the tempo from midfield in a deeper role. Carrick’s side looked organised without the ball and increasingly fluid with it, offering plenty of encouragement as the pre-season schedule gathers momentum.

While pre-season results should always be viewed with perspective, this was exactly the type of performance Manchester United supporters will have wanted to see. The blend of experienced first-team players and exciting academy graduates worked seamlessly, with youngsters grasping their opportunities against experienced opposition. Rosenborg battled gamely but struggled to contain United’s movement and quality, particularly after the interval when the visitors’ superior fitness and technical ability began to tell. Five goals, a clean sheet and several standout individual displays made for a thoroughly satisfying evening in Norway, giving Carrick and his coaching staff plenty of positives to take into the next stage of preparations ahead of the 2026/27 season.