Manchester United have returned to winning ways in pre-season after thrashing Norwegian side Rosenborg 5-0 at the Lerkendal Stadium in Trondheim on Friday.
The emphatic victory was United’s first pre-season win under permanent head coach Michael Carrick and provided the perfect response to their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in their opening summer friendly.
United had lost to Wrexham at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland on July 18, with Sam Smith scoring the only goal of the encounter.
Carrick’s side responded six days later in Norway, with academy youngsters playing prominent roles in the five-goal victory.
Shea Lacey opened the scoring in the 31st minute, finding space after drifting in from the right before curling a composed finish into the far corner.
United took their narrow advantage into the interval before Joshua Zirkzee doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a superb individual effort.
Jacob Devaney made it 3-0 seven minutes later, producing an instinctive first-time finish from close range after joining the attack for a corner.
Carrick made wholesale changes after the hour mark, handing several academy players opportunities to impress.
Harry Amass added United’s fourth in the 72nd minute, sliding in at the far post to convert before Ethan Williams completed the rout six minutes from time.
The victory was particularly encouraging for Carrick, with 19-year-olds Lacey, Devaney and Amass all finding the net as they push for greater first-team involvement.
Lacey entered pre-season regarded by United staff, alongside midfielder Tyler Fletcher, as one of the academy players most likely to force his way into Carrick’s senior squad regularly.
His development had previously been disrupted by a torn thigh muscle that ruled him out for five months during the 2023/24 campaign before further injury problems limited his opportunities.
Devaney also continued to impress after being singled out for praise by Carrick following the defeat to Wrexham.
Despite naturally being a midfielder, the youngster again featured in central defence against Rosenborg and capped an assured performance with a goal.
Amass also strengthened his case for a place in Carrick’s plans after previous loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich.
However, highly-rated 15-year-old JJ Gabriel was made to wait for his senior debut despite travelling with United’s 25-man squad.
Gabriel was named in the matchday squad but remained an unused substitute alongside FA Youth Cup final teammate Jim Thwaites.
The teenager had attracted considerable attention following United’s arrival in Norway, with his inclusion raising expectations that he could become one of the youngest players to feature for the senior team.
United goalkeeper Radek Vitek also impressed as Carrick’s side kept a clean sheet.
The result ensured United quickly put their opening pre-season setback behind them, with Carrick’s senior players and academy prospects combining to deliver a convincing five-goal response in Trondheim.
