Man Utd 5-0 Rosenborg: Shea Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee score but JJ Gabriel debut must wait
Manchester United responded to their recent loss against Wrexham with a convincing 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in Norway. The pre-season friendly saw a strong performance from the club's academy players and fringe squad members who controlled the match from the opening whistle.
Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass, Ethan Williams, and Joshua Zirkzee all found the back of the net. Lacey impressed with his movement and clinical finish, while Harry Amass and Jaydan Kamason provided consistent pressure from the full-back positions throughout the second half. Zirkzee contributed a high-quality solo goal that stood out as the highlight of the day.
Manager Michael Carrick maintained a cautious approach with the younger prospects in the squad. Despite significant attention surrounding the potential debut of 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel, the coaching staff opted to leave him on the bench. This decision aligns with the club's strategy to manage expectations and integrate younger talent at appropriate stages during the pre-season schedule.
The result offers a confidence boost as the team prepares for upcoming fixtures against Atletico Madrid, PSG, Leeds, and AC Milan. These matches will present tests against top-tier opponents, providing a clearer look at the squad depth as the new season nears. Supporters in attendance at the Lerkendal Stadion saw a dominant display that corrected the errors from the previous outing.