Manchester United secured a 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly held in Trondheim, Norway. The match saw several academy players contribute significantly, with four youngsters finding the back of the net. Manager Michael Carrick praised the performances of these emerging talents, highlighting their impact on the game.
The goals for Manchester United came from Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass, and Ethan Williams. Additionally, Joshua Zirkzee scored a solo goal, contributing to the emphatic win. This result marked a recovery for United after their previous defeat to Wrexham on Saturday, July 18.
Youth Prospects Shine
Michael Carrick expressed his satisfaction with the youth players, stating that they “deserved what they got.” He noted that the younger players were “fantastic” and played cohesively as a team. The manager emphasised the importance of keeping players fit and progressing through pre-season, especially with several regular starters recuperating after their participation in the FIFA World Cup.
Among the goal-scorers, Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, and Harry Amass, all aged 19, particularly caught the eye. Lacey’s goal, a smooth shot that curled into the far corner, demonstrated a touch of class. He spent much of the game in a hybrid number 10 role, with Bryan Mbeumo playing outside him.
Devaney, who had also received praise from Carrick after the Wrexham defeat, played in central defence despite his preferred midfield position. He maintained an assured presence throughout the match in Norway and scored with an instinctive first-time finish from a corner. Amass, who had previously been on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich, impressed by converting United’s fourth goal at the far post, making a strong case for a role as a back-up to Luke Shaw.
Goalkeeper Radek Vitek, aged 22, also received commendation from Carrick. Vitek started the match and played for 71 minutes, keeping a clean sheet. The Czech shot-stopper has spent the last three seasons on loan at Accrington Stanley, Blau-Weiss Linz, and Bristol City, and is yet to make a competitive appearance for United. He was deputising for Senne Lammens, who was involved in the World Cup with Belgium.
Another notable young talent was 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who was an unused substitute. Gabriel has been recognised for his performances in the youth set-up, having been named the Premier League U18 Player of the Season last year.
Pre-Season Preparations and Squad Development
Carrick highlighted the team’s defensive efforts, stating, “I thought we defended pretty well as a team for the most part.” He added that clean sheets are “a beautiful thing,” indicating satisfaction with the team’s overall performance. The manager’s focus is on getting players into a confident frame of mind during this crucial pre-season period.
The pre-season schedule for Manchester United is extensive. Following the match against Rosenborg, the team is set to travel to Stockholm to face Atletico Madrid. Subsequent fixtures include matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds, and AC Milan. The Premier League campaign for United is scheduled to commence on Saturday, August 22, with a match against newly-promoted Hull City.
Carrick took over as interim manager in January, replacing Ruben Amorim, and was later appointed on a permanent basis. He guided the team to a third-placed finish in the Premier League after taking over when they were in seventh position and out of all cup competitions. This summer, Carrick has already overseen significant investment in the squad, spending a combined total of over £80 million on new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, as he aims to strengthen the team for challenges on multiple fronts.
The starting line-up against Rosenborg included several first-team members, such as new signing Andrey Santos, alongside regular starters Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount. This blend of experienced players and promising youngsters is a key aspect of United’s preparations for the upcoming season, which begins on Saturday, August 22.
Source: tntsports.co.uk
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”