Manchester United kicked off their preseason campaign with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Norwegian side Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway. The game seemed destined for a goalless draw until Noah Holm scored the winner with the last kick of the game. Despite fielding a mix of young players and seasoned regulars like Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount, United were outshot 22-5 and struggled to find their rhythm.
Missing several key players who were yet to return following the conclusion of the European Championship and Copa América tournaments, United faced an uphill battle against Rosenborg. With the likes of Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka absent, Erik ten Hag had to rely on a makeshift lineup to navigate through the match. Czechia keeper Radek Vítek put in a stellar performance to keep United in the game, but ultimately, it was not enough to secure a positive result.
Despite the setback in their first preseason game, Manchester United are gearing up for a series of friendlies and tours to prepare for the upcoming season. They are scheduled to face Rangers in Edinburgh, Scotland, before heading to the U.S. for matches against Arsenal in California and Real Betis in San Diego. The team will then return to England for a final warmup match against Liverpool at Old Trafford before kicking off their season with the Community Shield against Manchester City.
After a dismal 2023-24 season where they conceded 58 goals and finished eighth in the Premier League, United are looking to turn things around under ten Hag’s leadership. The preseason matches will provide valuable opportunities for the team to fine-tune their tactics and build chemistry ahead of the new season. With high expectations from fans and critics alike, United will need to hit the ground running when they face Fulham in their Premier League opener on August 16.
While the loss to Rosenborg was a disappointing start to Manchester United’s preseason campaign, it is just the beginning of a long journey towards redemption. With a mix of experienced players and promising talents, the Red Devils have the opportunity to rebuild and challenge for silverware in the upcoming season.