Manchester United continued their preparations for the 2026-27 season with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Norwegian side Rosenborg in Friday’s pre-season friendly.
After suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in their opening summer fixture, the Red Devils produced a much stronger display to bounce back in style.
Goals from Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass, and Ethan Williams sealed an impressive win that showcased both Manchester United’s experienced stars and exciting academy prospects.
Match Summary
| Competition | Pre-Season Friendly |
|---|---|
| Venue | Norway |
| Final Score | Rosenborg 0-5 Manchester United |
| Half-Time | Rosenborg 0-1 Manchester United |
| Manchester United Goalscorers | Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass, Ethan Williams |
Manchester United Deliver a Statement Performance
This was exactly the response Manchester United supporters wanted after last weekend’s setback against Wrexham.
Although pre-season results should never be overanalyzed, the performance itself was hugely encouraging. United dominated possession, created numerous chances, and played with much greater intensity throughout the match.
The first half featured quick passing, aggressive pressing, and fluid attacking football. While the Red Devils entered the break with only a one-goal advantage, they completely controlled proceedings and deserved a larger lead.
The second half brought even more attacking quality as several young players made significant contributions from the bench.
Goals Timeline
| Minute | Goalscorer | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 31′ | Shea Lacey | 0-1 |
| 56′ | Joshua Zirkzee | 0-2 |
| 63′ | Jacob Devaney | 0-3 |
| 72′ | Harry Amass | 0-4 |
| 84′ | Ethan Williams | 0-5 |
Rosenborg vs Manchester United Highlights
⚽ 31′ – Shea Lacey Opens the Scoring
Manchester United finally broke the deadlock midway through the first half.
Shea Lacey produced a moment of real quality, curling a superb effort into the bottom corner after creating space on the edge of the penalty area.
The 19-year-old’s composed finish rewarded United’s early dominance and highlighted why many supporters view him as one of the club’s brightest young talents.
⚽ 56′ – Joshua Zirkzee Doubles the Lead
Joshua Zirkzee demonstrated excellent footwork inside the penalty area before calmly finishing past the Rosenborg goalkeeper.
Harry Amass played a clever pass into the striker, who displayed impressive composure to weave through defenders before scoring Manchester United’s second goal.
It was a finish that perfectly reflected the Dutch forward’s technical quality.
⚽ 63′ – Jacob Devaney Makes It Three
Jacob Devaney added his name to the scoresheet after Rosenborg failed to deal with a dangerous corner.
The loose ball eventually fell kindly for the young midfielder, who reacted quickest to smash home from close range and extend United’s advantage.
⚽ 72′ – Harry Amass Caps Outstanding Display
Harry Amass continued his impressive evening by converting Jaydan Kamason’s dangerous cross from close range.
The move showcased excellent attacking play from both full-backs and underlined the confidence Manchester United displayed throughout the second half.
⚽ 84′ – Ethan Williams Completes the Rout
Manchester United rounded off the scoring when Ethan Williams tapped home another excellent delivery from Kamason.
The goal capped an outstanding attacking performance and completed an emphatic five-goal victory.
Player Ratings Snapshot
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| Harry Amass | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Joshua Zirkzee | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Shea Lacey | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Jaydan Kamason | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Ethan Williams | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Jacob Devaney | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Man of the Match: Harry Amass
Harry Amass produced one of the standout performances of the evening.
The young full-back registered an assist for Joshua Zirkzee before scoring Manchester United’s fourth goal, while also contributing defensively with confidence and energy.
With speculation surrounding his future, Amass delivered the perfect reminder of his potential and certainly strengthened his case for more first-team opportunities under Michael Carrick.
Harry Amass Performance
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Goal | ✅ |
| Assist | ✅ |
| Defensive Work | Excellent |
| Attacking Runs | Outstanding |
| Overall Impact | Man of the Match |
Key Positives for Manchester United
| Positive | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Clinical finishing | Converted chances efficiently |
| Young players impressed | Strong academy development |
| Defensive solidity | Clean sheet maintained |
| Fluid attacking football | Better movement than previous match |
| Squad depth | Multiple players made valuable contributions |
What This Result Means
The victory provides an important confidence boost following Manchester United’s disappointing opening pre-season defeat.
While friendly matches are primarily about fitness and experimentation, the quality of the football on display will encourage Michael Carrick ahead of tougher tests later this summer.
Several academy graduates also enhanced their reputations, giving the coaching staff additional selection options before the new Premier League campaign begins.
What’s Next?
| Team | Next Fixture |
|---|---|
| Manchester United | vs Atletico Madrid (August 1, Stockholm) |
| Rosenborg | vs Fredrikstad (July 27, Norwegian Eliteserien) |
Final Verdict
Manchester United delivered a complete performance against Rosenborg, combining attacking flair with defensive discipline to secure an impressive 5-0 victory.
The experienced players looked sharp, while several academy prospects seized their opportunity to impress. Harry Amass stole the spotlight with a goal, an assist, and an all-round display full of confidence, but the overall team performance will have pleased Michael Carrick just as much.
If United can build on this momentum, they will head into the 2026-27 season with renewed confidence and growing optimism among supporters.
