· 2 min readIn this Rosenborg vs Man United match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
It was only a friendly, yes, but some friendlies tell you something. And after losing to Wrexham, Manchester United came into this match with more to prove than you would normally expect during pre-season.
On the other side was a Rosenborg team already in full competitive rhythm, with matches under their belt and a naturally higher intensity. That was clear in the opening minutes. United had more of the ball, but lacked tempo, clarity and a bit more aggression in the final third.
Even so, the first real chance fell to the English side. A defensive mistake allowed Zirkzee to hold the ball up brilliantly before laying it off to Mbeumo, whose finish was weak and lacked conviction. It was the kind of opportunity that demanded more.
The game drifted along at a fairly slow pace. United tried to build through the middle, with Andrey Santos bringing composure in possession and Dorgu providing width, but everything felt too predictable. Rosenborg were not creating much either, but they looked more comfortable with the rhythm of the match.
Then the space appeared. And when it does, this type of team takes advantage.
In the 30th minute, United broke quickly. Zirkzee received the ball in midfield, lifted his head and spotted Shea Lacey out on the right. The pass was perfectly timed. Lacey drove into the area, cut inside calmly and curled a precise finish into the far corner. A clean goal, simple in execution but brilliantly taken. 0-1.
The goal settled United down. Zirkzee became more involved, linking play more effectively, while Mbeumo also started influencing the game. From a wide free-kick, it was Mbeumo who delivered the cross for Yoro, whose powerful header crashed against the crossbar. It could easily have been the second.
Half-time arrived with only a one-goal lead and one clear feeling: United were improving, but they were still far from convincing.
The second half produced the best moment of the match. And it came from Zirkzee.
In the 55th minute, a quick move down the left saw Harry Amass create space before playing the ball inside. Zirkzee collected it centrally, squared up his defender and shifted the ball one way before going the other. He beat the first defender, repeated the same move on the goalkeeper and finished with complete composure. It was a street football goal, full of confidence, exactly the kind he needed. 0-2.
In the 63rd minute, a set-piece caused chaos inside the box. The defence failed to clear, the loose ball fell to Jacob Devaney, and with time and space he smashed it into the roof of the net. 0-3. A classic poacher’s goal from a player in the right place at the right time.
Rosenborg tried to respond. One quick attack led to appeals for a foul, play continued, and Ceïde found himself in the area with a dangerous effort that ultimately came to nothing. It was one of the few moments in which they genuinely threatened.
With only youngsters left on the pitch, United added two more goals. Amass and Williams both scored from almost identical moves. The ball was worked down the right, Kamason overlapped brilliantly and the finish was a simple tap-in at the far post. 0-5, and that was how the friendly ended.
Post-match
Zirkzee was the standout performer, finishing with a goal, an assist and a huge influence on the game. There is still plenty to improve, especially in the build-up, but there were definitely more encouraging signs. Rosenborg showed intensity, but lacked the quality to make it count.