7M - Club Friendlies Preview: Rosenborg vs Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Lerkendal Stadion plays host to an intriguing pre-season encounter on Friday as Manchester United step up their preparations for the 2026-27 campaign against Norwegian side Rosenborg.

Recent Form and Match Context

The host side are already 13 games into their Eliteserien schedule, holding 10th position in the league with 15 points, trailing fourth-placed Lillestrom by 10 points. Freyr Alexandersson's squad returned from their break in mid-July with strong form, securing back-to-back 3-0 league wins over Kristiansund and Start, while also defeating Molde 2-1 in a friendly earlier in the month. This Friday marks the fourth friendly matchup between these two teams; their most recent meeting in July 2024 saw Rosenborg earn a 1-0 win courtesy of a goal from Noah Holm against Erik ten Hag's Red Devils. Although Rosenborg face a crucial domestic fixture against Fredrikstad on July 27, their immediate attention centers on this showcase exhibition.

Manchester United head to Norway looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to their summer preparations, having suffered a 1-0 loss against Wrexham on Saturday. Michael Carrick's side face a busy pre-season schedule with upcoming fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United, and AC Milan before their Premier League opener against newly-promoted Hull City on August 22. The Red Devils have welcomed four new arrivals during the transfer window, with Andrey Santos making his debut against Wrexham alongside fellow additions Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow, and former Tottenham Hotspur teenager Tynan Thompson. While further recruitment is expected and Marcus Rashford remains likely to stay, Carrick will be seeking a sharper display, though he took encouragement from the second-half performances of several academy players in the previous fixture.

Attack, Defense, and Squad Fitness Pressures

Rosenborg enter the clash with significantly higher match sharpness, having produced four goals across back-to-back league clean sheets. However, fitness doubts remain over 32-year-old striker Dino Islamovic, who faces a late assessment due to an injury.

Conversely, Manchester United face considerable squad depth constraints as 11 first-team players remain unavailable following their participation in the 2026 World Cup: Tielemans (Belgium), Lisandro Martinez (Argentina), Matheus Cunha (Brazil), Diogo Dalot (Portugal), Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Altay Bayindir (Turkey), Kobbie Mainoo (England), Senne Lammens (Belgium), Noussour Mazraoui (Morocco), and Rashford (England). Furthermore, Benjamin Sesko is doubtful after a shin injury ended his 2025-26 season early, while Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte remain long-term absentees.

Despite these absences, Carrick can rely on senior figures Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo, and Joshua Zirkzee. Academy prospects Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass, Chido Obi, Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher, Toby Collyer, 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, and new arrival Thompson could all feature.

Team News

Rosenborg: Should Dino Islamovic miss out, Amin Chiakha, who has netted six goals in 14 matches this season, will lead the attack, supported by Emil Konradsen Ceide, who has contributed two goals and seven assists across all competitions this term.

Manchester United: Senior players Mount, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw, Dorgu, and Mbeumo are expected to mix with youth talents like Heaven, Santos, Lacey, and Fletcher to form the starting eleven and rotation options.

Possible Starting Lineups

Rosenborg possible starting lineup:
Wahlstedt; Svensson, M Ceide, Nemcik, Pereira; Selnaes; Duris, Bomholt, Fossum, E Ceide; Chiakha

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Heaton; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mount, Santos; Lacey, J Fletcher, Dorgu; Mbeumo

Prediction: Rosenborg 1-2 Manchester United

Rosenborg possess superior match fitness and strong recent momentum, but Manchester United's squad still boasts significant top-tier quality. A closely fought battle is expected on Norwegian soil, with the English giants tipped to narrowly edge it.