MAN UTD 5-0 ROSENBORG: Michael Carrick's side kickstarted their pre-season campaign with a five-star victory thanks to goals from Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass and Ethan Williams
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - JULY 24: Shea Lacey of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Rosenborg and Manchester United at Lerkendal Stadion on July 24, 2026 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United thrashed Rosenborg in a friendly(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Wonderkid Shea Lacey grabbed his chance with both hands by scoring in Manchester United's first win of pre-season. The Red Devils lost 1-0 to Wrexham in Finland on Saturday and headed to Norway looking for a response against Rosenborg.
Michael Carrick got the comfortable victory he was after, much thanks to Lacey's goal which broke the deadlock on 31 minutes. The striker, 19, raced away from Rosenborg's high line after being threaded through by Joshua Zirkzee, who started just one of Carrick's 17 games last term and has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus.
As the Norwegian side scrambled back, Lacey showed his composure by cutting inside on his stronger left foot before curling a shot into the left-hand side of the net. It marked his first goal at senior level, albeit not in a competitive match, boosting the teenager's already high stock.
The crowd, packed with United supporters, were delighted to see a goal - but Patrick Dorgu didn't seen too pleased with how it came about. The United star, playing on the left of midfield, wanted Lacey to square the ball across instead of going for goal himself. Dorgu throw his arms in the air, although he eventually came over to Lacey and congratulated him.
Leny Yoro hit the crossbar with a header before half-time, during which Carrick made a couple of changes. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw made way for Jaydan Kamason and Harry Amass to make it a more youthful-looking XI.
United kept up their dominance and doubled their lead shortly after the break, as Zirkzee went from provider to goalscorer in style. The Dutchman was initially involved in the build-up, spraying the ball out to Amass before getting it back on the edge of the penalty area.
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - JULY 24: Shea Lacey of Manchester United in action during the pre-season friendly match between Rosenborg and Manchester United at Lerkendal Stadion on July 24, 2026 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Shea Lacey opened his account in pre-season(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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After sending a defender for a hot dog with a cute body faint, Zirkzee pulled off the same trick again in front of the goalkeeper, allowing him to finish into an empty net. The 25-year-old only scored two goals last season - the most recent coming in December - and will be hoping for a more fruitful campaign this time around.
Carrick rung in the changes on the hour mark, making eight substitutions - all of them outfielders. The Fletcher twins, Tyler and Jack, were in midfield as Chido Obi led the line.
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - JULY 24: Shea Lacey of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Rosenborg and Manchester United at Lerkendal Stadion on July 24, 2026 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with Juventus(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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It took two minutes for midfielder Jacob Devaney to make an impact. When a corner kick fell kindly to him seven yards from goal, the Republic of Ireland youth international thrashed the ball into the roof of the net for 3-0.
Finally, Amass and Ethan Williams got in on the act, both finishing at the back post and giving Kamason two assists to cap an impressive second half. Next up for United, it's Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday, August 1.