Manchester United defeats Rosenborg 5-0 as academy players impress
Academy Prospects Shine in Norway
Manchester United secured a 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in Trondheim, with several academy players making an impact. While highly-rated forward JJ Gabriel, aged 15, remained on the bench, his academy colleagues Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, and Harry Amass, all aged 19, each scored during the match. Their performances are seen as a strong case for their inclusion in the first-team squad in the coming months.
Shea Lacey, in particular, caught the eye with his goal. He found space and moved in from the right, having primarily played in a hybrid number 10 role. His shot curled into the far corner, demonstrating a touch of class. Lacey has been considered by United staff, alongside midfielder Tyler Fletcher, as one of the young players most likely to regularly join Michael Carrick’s first-team squad.
Lacey’s journey to this point has involved overcoming challenges. A torn thigh muscle kept him out for five months during the 2023-24 season. He was then carefully managed to ensure his body could handle playing a series of games. An incident in January, when he was sent off during an FA Cup third-round defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford, was followed by another injury during his suspension. Carrick waited until the final game of the campaign against Brighton to give him more first-team minutes, setting a target for his return to form.
Gabriel Awaits Senior Debut
Despite the impressive performances from his peers, JJ Gabriel did not make his senior debut for Manchester United. He watched from the bench throughout the match. Gabriel’s presence in Michael Carrick’s 25-man travelling squad had suggested he might become one of the youngest players to feature in a senior game for the club. He was a focal point upon the team’s arrival and at a meet-and-greet session, where supporters were keen to see the young talent.
Carrick opted not to give Gabriel any pitch time, a decision also applied to FA Youth Cup final teammate Jim Thwaites. Gabriel, born on October 6, 2010, has already made his mark in the academy. He played for United’s Under-18 side at just 14, becoming the youngest player to do so. He scored twice on his debut against Leeds and was invited to train with the first-team squad under Ruben Amorim in October last year. He also netted in the FA Youth Cup against Peterborough in December at Old Trafford and was named the Under-18s’ player of the season at the end of the campaign.
Gabriel, who spent time at Chelsea, Arsenal, and West Ham’s youth setups before joining United in 2022, gained early attention at the age of nine when he went viral on YouTube in 2019, earning the nickname ‘Kid Messi’. He has also featured for England’s Under-15, Under-16, and Under-17 sides, and is eligible to represent Ireland, Cyprus, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Further Goals and Team Details
Beyond the academy scorers, Joshua Zirkzee contributed with a solo effort, and Ethan Williams completed the scoring for Manchester United. Jacob Devaney, playing in central defence rather than his preferred midfield position, was an assured presence and scored with an instinctive first-time finish from a corner. Harry Amass, who had previously impressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before an injury at Norwich, looked fully fit and converted United’s fourth goal by sliding in at the far post.
The match against Rosenborg, a Norwegian team, saw a significant number of empty seats at the 21,000-capacity Lerkendal Stadium. This was possibly due to a crucial league game for Rosenborg being rescheduled to Monday to accommodate the friendly match, a decision that reportedly caused anger among their supporters. Manchester United played with a 4-2-3-1 formation under manager Michael Carrick, while Rosenborg, managed by Freyr Alexandersson, used a 4-3-3 formation.
The Manchester United squad for the match included Joshua Zirkzee as the only recognised senior striker, with Benjamin Sesko recovering from a shin problem and Chido Obi as another option through the middle.
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Source: bbc.com
