Manchester United secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in their second pre-season friendly, held at Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim. Head coach Michael Carrick fielded a strong starting lineup against the Norwegian side, who were already 13 games into their league season.
The match saw key contributions from Joshua Zirkzee, who scored an audacious goal, and Shea Lacey, who opened the scoring for United. The team took a two-goal lead before Carrick introduced several young players who continued the onslaught, adding three more goals through Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass, and Ethan Williams.
Joshua Zirkzee, who has faced criticism since his arrival at Old Trafford two years ago, delivered a performance that suggests a potential future at the club. After assisting Lacey's goal, Zirkzee scored in the 56th minute. Starting a move from halfway, he exchanged passes with Amass, executed two dummies to deceive the defense, and then rounded the goalkeeper to score into an empty net. The forward demonstrated touch and trickery, highlighting his potential if he can achieve greater consistency.
Shea Lacey, a 19-year-old from Liverpool, was another standout performer, causing significant problems for the Rosenborg defense from his No. 10 role. He scored United's first goal after receiving a pass from Zirkzee, cutting inside a defender and placing the ball into the far corner.
Young Players Shine
Following a promising display in their previous match, United's younger players showcased further potential. Right-back Jaydan Kamason was particularly effective, providing two assists. He set up Amass for the fourth goal with a cross from the right flank and later assisted Williams for the fifth goal.
Carrick praised the performance of the younger players, stating they "played as a team really well and deserved what they got." He expressed delight in their ability to "express themselves and push themselves to be better," noting their individual potential. The coach also emphasized the importance of securing a clean sheet and the players coming through the match injury-free.
The team's fitness was managed, with most of the starting XI playing for around an hour. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were substituted at halftime, with eight other starters following suit after 60 minutes. Goalkeeper Radek Vitek played for 70 minutes and was rarely tested. Carrick indicated that the team is in a "good place" as they prepare for their next friendly against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, with other players gradually returning from international duty.