Youngsters shine in pre-season friendly
Manchester United secured a 5-0 victory against Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly held in Trondheim, Norway. The match saw a strong performance from the club’s young players, who were praised by manager Michael Carrick for their expression on the pitch.
Carrick initially fielded a strong side but introduced several youngsters throughout the game. Full-backs Jaydan Kamason and Harry Amass entered at half-time, with Kamason providing two assists and Amass contributing a goal and an assist. Eight more young players joined the action on the hour mark, including Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher in midfield. Jacob Devaney, playing at centre-back, scored from a corner, while winger Ethan Williams completed the scoring.
The young players displayed excellent football against Rosenborg, showing ruthlessness that was not present in their previous outing against Wrexham. Carrick expressed his delight at their performance, stating that the second-half play was “really, really good.” He also highlighted their potential and their drive to improve.
Squad progression and upcoming fixtures
Goalkeeper Radek Vitek played for over 70 minutes before being replaced by Dermot Mee. Carrick was satisfied with the team’s defensive effort, noting that they largely protected the goalkeepers and secured a clean sheet, which he described as “a beautiful thing.”
This match was Manchester United‘s second pre-season friendly. The team will now return to Carrington for another week of training in Manchester. Their next fixture is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, when they will face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm.
Carrick indicated that the team is in a good position, with approximately four weeks remaining until the start of the season. He also mentioned the gradual return of players who participated in the World Cup, emphasising the need for patience and time as the squad progresses.
JJ Gabriel’s senior call-up and potential debut
Among the travelling squad for the Rosenborg friendly was JJ Gabriel, a 15-year-old forward who received his first senior call-up. Gabriel, who will not turn 16 until October, was part of Carrick’s 25-man party for the match in Trondheim. He was named the Under-18 Premier League player of the season last term, despite being 14 when the campaign began.
Gabriel’s inclusion in the squad follows his progress through the club’s youth system. Should he feature in Norway, it would mark his first senior appearance for the club and another milestone in his young career. Director of football Jason Wilcox was reportedly involved in persuading Gabriel to remain at United last summer, as part of an effort to attract promising young talents to Old Trafford.
Gabriel first gained wider attention in April 2025, making a 25-minute cameo on his debut against Leeds, where he scored twice. He continued to impress last season, scoring 29 times in 32 appearances for the Red Devils and helping them reach the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 cup finals. He has been a regular in first-team training sessions, with Carrick closely monitoring the academy teams.
Gabriel was not involved in the previous week’s defeat by Wrexham in Helsinki, having returned to training less than a week earlier. The club is carefully managing the young talent. He was invited to the directors’ box on several occasions last season and met with Sir Alex Ferguson after a draw against West Ham in December.
If Gabriel makes his debut, he would be one of the youngest players to play a senior game for Manchester United. The youngest player to feature in a competitive match for the club was David Gaskell, who debuted at 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel will not reach 16 until October 6.
The Manchester United travelling squad for the friendly included several notable names: Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu, Andrey Santos, Bryan Mbeumo, Chido Obi, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Harry Amass, Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, Dermot Mee, Shea Lacey, Ethan Williams, Jaydan Kamason, Jacob Devaney, Jim Thwaites, Dan Armer, and JJ Gabriel.
Injured players who were not available for the friendly included striker Benjamin Sesko, goalkeeper Karl Darlow, and defender Matthijs de Ligt. Tynan Thompson, who joined from Tottenham, was also not included in the squad. Manchester United has also launched their new away kit for the 2026/27 season, inspired by the 1988 kit, featuring a blue jersey with wavy stripes.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”
