Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side stumbled to a 0-1 defeat against Rosenborg in their inaugural friendly ahead of the 2024/25 season. The match turned sour for the “Red Devils” when Noah Holm struck in the 90+3rd minute, sealing a surprising victory for the Norwegian outfit. Despite Rosenborg’s modest squad value of around 30 million euros, they outshone United with relentless attacks and nearly capitalized on several occasions earlier in the game.

Manchester United, fielding a mix of seasoned pros and promising talents, struggled to find their rhythm. The absence of key figures was evident as they failed to muster significant threats, relying heavily on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play. Casemiro and Mason Mount, expected to anchor the midfield, appeared disjointed, leaving United vulnerable in defense and toothless in attack.

The second half saw a complete overhaul by ten Hag, introducing a youthful lineup in a bid to salvage the match. However, the young blood failed to turn the tide against a determined Rosenborg side that held their ground with disciplined defending and swift counterattacks.

The outcome serves as a wake-up call for Manchester United as they prepare for upcoming friendlies crucial to their preseason preparations. With four matches remaining before their clash against Manchester City in the English Super Cup, ten Hag faces the challenge of integrating new signings like Joshua Zirkzee while restoring confidence in his established stars like Jadon Sancho, who is set to return from injury.

Overall, the defeat against Rosenborg underscores the competitive challenges ahead for United, highlighting areas needing improvement before the season kickoff.