Wonderkid Shea Lacey grabbed his chance with both hands by scoring his first senior goal in Manchester United's 5-0 friendly thrashing of Rosenborg – but not without a flash of frustration from teammate Patrick Dorgu.
The 19-year-old striker broke the deadlock on 31 minutes, racing onto a threaded pass from Joshua Zirkzee to beat Rosenborg's high line, cutting inside onto his stronger left foot and curling a shot into the left-hand side of the net. The crowd, packed with United supporters, roared their approval. But Dorgu, playing on the left of midfield, threw his arms in the air, wanting Lacey to square the ball instead. He eventually came over and congratulated him.
“Wonderkid Shea Lacey scored his first senior goal as Manchester United thrashed Rosenborg 5-0 in Michael Carrick's first win as permanent manager.”
It was the highlight of a dominant display that gave Michael Carrick his first win since taking charge permanently, after United lost 1-0 to Wrexham in Finland on Saturday. Leny Yoro hit the crossbar before half-time, and Carrick made changes at the break, replacing Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw with Jaydan Kamason and Harry Amass.
The Red Devils doubled their lead shortly after the restart. Zirkwee, who started just one of Carrick's 17 games last season and has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus, went from provider to scorer. After spraying the ball out to Amass, he received it back on the edge of the area, sent a defender for a hot dog with a cute body faint, then pulled off the same trick in front of the goalkeeper before finishing into an empty net. The Dutchman managed only two goals last term, the most recent in December.
Carrick rung in eight outfield substitutions on the hour mark, including the Fletcher twins, Tyler and Jack, in midfield, with Chido Obi leading the line. It took two minutes for substitute Jacob Devaney to make an impact, slotting home from seven yards after a corner kick fell kindly to him. Harry Amass and Ethan Williams added further goals to complete the rout.
Lacey's maiden senior strike – albeit in a non-competitive match – will only boost the teenager's already high stock as United build towards the new season.
