Lacey Breaks the Deadlock
Slow start, honestly. United dictated things for most of the first half at Lerkendal Stadion without much to show for it — Patrick Dorgu clipped the post in the 28th minute, Leny Yoro headed one against the crossbar right before the break. It took until the 31st minute for the breakthrough, and it was worth the wait. Zirkzee, dropping deep and finding pockets of space all half, played a beautifully weighted ball through for Shea Lacey, who slowed himself down, shifted his body, and curled it into the bottom corner. Nineteen years old, first goal of United’s pre-season, and it looked like the finish of someone a lot more experienced.
Zirkzee, Devaney, Amass and Williams Pile On
United came out for the second half and put the game to bed fast. Zirkzee doubled the lead in the 56th minute with the goal of the game — collected the ball out wide off a Lacey pass, rolled it away from his marker, and finished with real composure after skinning the defender. Seven minutes later, substitute Jacob Devaney got in on it too, thrashing home from a corner after Rosenborg failed to clear their lines. Michael Carrick made wholesale changes around the hour mark, and the youngsters who came on kept the goals coming — Harry Amass slid in at the far post in the 72nd minute after a Jaydan Kamason cross, and Kamason turned provider again in the 84th, picking out Ethan Williams for a simple tap-in to make it 5-0.
What It Means Next
First win of the summer for Carrick in his first game as permanent boss, and a much-needed response after losing the opener to Wrexham the week before. Rosenborg, a third of the way through their own league season and sitting just above the relegation zone in the Eliteserien, never really got going — their best moment of note was a stray free-kick from Emil Konradsen Ceide that drifted just wide. For United, the takeaway is less about the scoreline and more about the kids — Lacey, Devaney, Amass and Williams all making a real case for themselves, with 15-year-old JJ Gabriel also included in a first-team squad for the first time. United face Atlético Madrid next, on 1 August.
Match Summary
Rosenborg 0-5 Manchester United Club Friendly — Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway Friday, 24 July 2026
Goals: 31′ Shea Lacey (Manchester United) 0-1 (assist: Joshua Zirkzee) 56′ Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) 0-2 (assist: Shea Lacey) 63′ Jacob Devaney (Manchester United) 0-3 72′ Harry Amass (Manchester United) 0-4 (assist: Jaydan Kamason) 84′ Ethan Williams (Manchester United) 0-5 (assist: Jaydan Kamason)
Result: Manchester United pick up their first win of pre-season with a comfortable 5-0 victory. Rosenborg struggled throughout against a much sharper visiting side.
For live pre-season friendly scores and coverage, visit fawanews. Full results and fixtures at the official Manchester United website.
