When Manchester United last faced Rosenborg in Trondheim two years ago, Erik ten Hag was in the dugout and Noah Holm scored a late winner. This week, the Red Devils return to Norway with Michael Carrick in charge — and barely half the starting XI that day still at the club.
Six of the 11 who began that pre-season friendly have since left or retired, while two more could follow before the transfer window shuts. The upheaval, which has also seen Ruben Amorim come and go as manager in a 14-month stint, leaves goalkeeper Radek Vitek as the sole survivor from the back five.
“Six of Manchester United's starters from their last clash with Rosenborg have left the club.”
Vitek, who started behind a defence featuring now-retired Jonny Evans (part of Carrick's coaching staff), Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Will Fish and Sam Murray, may not stay much longer. "At the moment, I am still here, but we will see," he said after United's first friendly this summer against Wrexham. "I hope there will be some interest."
Wan-Bissaka and Fish departed the month after the 2024 Rosenborg game — Wan-Bissaka's West Ham are now in the Championship while Fish's Cardiff won promotion. Murray left for Carlisle last year and is again without a club. Vitek, with a promise of first-team football, could be tempted away.
In midfield, Casemiro gave United two more years before joining Inter Miami in 2026. He lined up alongside Mason Mount (still at United, impressing against Wrexham) and Hannibal Mejbri. The Tunisian international moved to Burnley permanently in August 2024, helped them win promotion but dropped straight back down last season.
Carrick has named 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel in the squad for the trip, as United look to build momentum under their caretaker boss. The changes, on and off the pitch, mean little remains of the side Ten Hag sent out in Norway two years ago.