Manchester United travelled to Norway to take on Rosenborg BK in their second pre-season match of the 2026–2027 season.
The Red Devils were aiming to recover from a 1–0 defeat to Wrexham in Finland.
First half
The hosts started better and had a free kick from close range that was drilled into the wall after just five minutes.
United sprang into life after nine minutes when the ball was turned over and Joshua Zirkzee played in Bryan Mbeumo, but the Cameroonian’s effort was straight at the keeper. The Red Devils had to wait 10 more minutes before they had another chance, when Mason Mount’s shot was blocked for a corner from just outside the box.
The away side had by far their best moment after 28 minutes when Andrey Santos rolled a lovely pass into the box for Patrick Dorgu, whose effort clipped the outside of the post.
United gradually improved and got their reward after 31 minutes. Leny Yoro played the ball forward, Zirkzee turned and rolled in Shea Lacey, and the youngster cut in and bent a lovely effort into the bottom corner.
Michael Carrick’s side were in the ascendancy now, and a wonderful free kick from Mbeumo found Yoro in the box and he headed the ball off the crossbar. The hosts kept the ball a little better towards the end of the first half, but neither team could find another goal and the half-time whistle blew with United in the lead.
Second half
United created problems for themselves when Harry Amass and Ayden Heaven lost the ball down the by-line and the Norwegians squared the ball to Aleksander Borgersen, but his effort skewed well wide.
United responded when Patrick Dorgu played in Zirkzee, who spun and shot, but his effort was blocked for a corner.
After 56 minutes, the hosts responded when they fired a cross wide of goal, but it was Carrick’s side who grabbed the next goal. The lively Lacey collected the ball out wide and played in Zirkzee, who rolled the ball away from the defence and then beat the keeper with a wonderful piece of skill, finishing off the move by gently placing the ball over the goal line.
Emil Konradsen Ceide responded when his powerful free kick drifted just wide of Vitek’s goal.
After 63 minutes, a corner fell to substitute Jacob Devaney, who controlled the ball well and thrashed his effort into the roof of the net.
Rosenborg had their best chance when Ceide received the ball in the box and his effort flicked the outside of the post and went out for a goal kick.
United responded right away, though, and scored a fourth with a lovely, flowing goal.
The ball was worked along the pitch and Jaydan Kamason played the ball across to his fellow full-back Harry Amass, who slid in to score.
United kept the ball well really well for the next few minutes and were rewarded with a fifth goal after 84 minutes.
Kamason again turned provider when he kept his calm and picked out Ethan Williams who tapped in from close-range.
The full time whistle blew and United will be delighted with the result and performance, especially of the youngsters once again who have given Michael Carrick something to think about.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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