Trondheim: Manchester United youngsters impress in Rosenborg victory
Manchester United secured a 5-0 pre-season friendly victory over Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway, with several academy players making a strong impression. Manager Michael Carrick praised the young talents, highlighting their performances as crucial for the team’s progression during pre-season.
Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, and Harry Amass, all 19 years old, were among the goal scorers. Ethan Williams also found the back of the net, contributing to the emphatic win. This result marked a recovery for United after their 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki on Saturday, July 18.
Young talents shine
Shea Lacey’s goal was particularly notable, as he adeptly found space and curled a shot into the far corner. He primarily operated in a hybrid number 10 role during the match, with Bryan Mbeumo playing outside him. Jacob Devaney, who had previously received praise from Carrick after the Wrexham match, demonstrated an assured presence in central defence, a position he played despite his preferred midfield role. Devaney also scored with an instinctive first-time finish from a corner.
Harry Amass, who has noticeably developed physically since his time under a previous manager, impressed by sliding in at the far post to convert United’s fourth goal. This performance served as a reminder to Carrick of his potential as a back-up option to Luke Shaw. The match also saw Joshua Zirkzee score a superb solo effort, and Ethan Williams completed the rout.
Manager’s perspective and team dynamics
Michael Carrick expressed his delight at the academy products seizing their opportunity, especially with several regular starters recuperating after their participation in the FIFA World Cup. He told MUTV that keeping players fit and progressing through pre-season is paramount. Carrick commended the younger players, stating they were “fantastic” and played as a team, deserving their success. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean sheet, indicating the team is “moving forward nicely.”
Goalkeeper Radek Vitek, 22, played 71 minutes and kept a clean sheet. Vitek, who has spent the last three seasons on loan at Accrington Stanley, Blau-Weiss Linz, and Bristol City, is yet to make a competitive appearance for United. He was deputising for Senne Lammens, who was involved in the World Cup with Belgium. Carrick praised Vitek’s performance and the team’s overall defensive effort, noting that “clean sheets are a beautiful thing.”
Pre-season schedule and squad building
United’s pre-season has started earlier than some of their ‘Big Six’ rivals. The starting line-up against Rosenborg included several first-team members, such as new signing Andrey Santos, alongside regular starters like Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount. The team’s performance against Rosenborg, who currently sit 10th in the Eliteserien, should be considered within the context of pre-season preparations.
Carrick took over as interim manager in January, replacing Ruben Amorim, and was later handed the job on a permanent basis after guiding the team to a third-placed finish in the Premier League. He has already invested over £80 million this summer in new signings, including Santos and Youri Tielemans, as he aims to strengthen the squad for challenges on multiple fronts. The team is set to travel to Stockholm to face Atletico Madrid next, with further fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds, and AC Milan on the horizon. Their Premier League campaign is scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 22, against newly-promoted Hull City.
Source: bbc.co.uk