Manchester United produced their most convincing display of the 2026/27 pre-season on Friday, tearing apart Norwegian side Rosenborg 5-0 in Trondheim to secure Michael Carrick his first win as permanent manager — and to spark real discussion about what his developed style of play may eventually look like.

The outcome came six days after a sobering defeat to Wrexham, which meant the manner of this victory mattered as much as the scoreline. United controlled long stretches without Fernandes or Cunha in the team, displayed sharpness in both build-up and transition, and gave a number of academy graduates a platform to do something memorable.

Sky Sports journalist Callum Bishop broke down the five main talking points from Trondheim in full.

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When Carrick arrived on a temporary basis, United’s identity was centred almost completely on transition speed — third in fast breaks per game, joint-first in goals from fast breaks per 90. Possession was almost an afterthought; they were 13th in the Premier League for it. That approach worked against teams prepared to engage, but it left them vulnerable against deep defensive blocks.

Against Rosenborg — a team already 13 games into their own domestic season and physically sharp — United did not have to depend on the counter-attack. At times they carved the hosts open in build-up, with the ball moving quickly and intelligently even without their main creative players. The second and fourth goals showed that transitions are still part of the plan, but the broader picture suggested Carrick is expanding his approach now that the permanent job is his. The Youri Tielemans signing makes more sense when seen through that lens.

Carrick’s cultural reset at Carrington has clearly reached the training pitch too.

Joshua Zirkzee was the outstanding performer over his 60 minutes, ending with an assist for the opener and a goal that invited comparisons with the kind of individual quality that made him one of Europe’s most talked-about forwards. The Dutch striker combined with Harry Amass in a give-and-go before beating two defenders with his footwork, then did the same to the Rosenborg goalkeeper before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Joshua Zirkzee during his official unveiling at Manchester United.

He was exactly what United needed him to be: a possession sponge who could receive on the half-turn and bring others into the rhythm of the game. But as Bishop pointed out in his analysis, the tempo of the match suited Zirkzee in a way that Premier League football often does not. Benjamin Sesko — who is not yet ready to return — remains the likeliest starting centre-forward, and Friday’s display is arguably more of a blueprint for how Carrick wants Sesko to function than an argument for Zirkzee moving ahead in the pecking order.

Shea Lacey, 19, started at number 10 and scored United’s opener with a calm curling finish. The excitement around him had dipped over the last 12 months after his almost spectacular strike in a 2-2 draw with Burnley, but a more visible role here showed there is a serious talent developing. United supporters voted him player of the match on the night.

Shea Lacey competing for Manchester United.

Harry Amass came on at half-time and contributed enough in both phases to raise a real question: with United still looking for a left-back, should he be given a proper run as Luke Shaw’s deputy? His goal reflected intelligent forward movement; his defensive work was neat. Jacob Devaney and Ethan Williams also scored, moments they will remember regardless of where their careers ultimately go.

The understated contribution came from Jaydan Kamason. The 19-year-old right-back created two goals with low crosses that looked more like a winger’s delivery than a defender’s, and Carrick left him on longer than most of the other youngsters — a quiet vote of confidence that matters. Carrick’s record of trusting young players is well known, and his faith in the academy pathway was clear in the players he chose to keep on for extended minutes here.

As for JJ Gabriel — the 15-year-old whose inclusion in the travelling squad had sparked genuine excitement — he stayed an unused substitute throughout. Carrick had said before the game that Gabriel would get minutes in the friendlies to come. The wait goes on.

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