Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay scored the goals as Manchester United recorded a 3-0 win over Norwegian outfit Valerenga Fotball in their penultimate pre-season friendly in Oslo on Sunday night.
Fellaini headed Man United into a first-half lead, before Lukaku and McTominay came off the bench to register during a comfortable 90 minutes for the 20-time English champions.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo as Norwegian outfit Valerenga welcome Jose Mourinho's Manchester United. The hosts are actually in the middle of their domestic season, and should therefore provide a good test for a Man United side in the latter stages of their pre-season. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action!
Before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Oslo. Does the Man United team have a familiar look to it, or has Mourinho selected a youthful XI? Let's take a look...
TEAMS!
VAL: Kwarasey; Lundstrom, Tollas, Jaager, Juklerod; Lekven, Agyiri, Zahid; Holm, Ejuke, Finne
UTD: Romero; Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Jones, Blind; Carrick, Fellaini, Pogba; Mata, Rashford, Mkhitaryan
On-loan Manchester City midfielder Ernest Agyiri starts for Valerenga tonight. The 19-year-old has been with the Citizens since 2015, but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the English club. Meanwhile, there were also spots in the home team for David Fredheim Holm, Chidera Ejuke and Bard Finne has head coach Ronny Deila, formerly of Celtic, selects an attacking XI for this pre-season clash.
As for Man United, Juan Mata starts tonight after recovering from a slight injury, with the Spaniard expected to operate on the right. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford make up the Man United front three, with Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial both on the bench. Timothy Fosu-Mensah is given the chance to impress at right-back, while Sergio Romero starts between the sticks.
Interestingly, Marouane Fellaini is also in the Man United team tonight. Galatasaray sporting director Cenk Ergun recently claimed that Fellaini "will leave Manchester United" this summer, and the Turkish giants are "in talks" with the Belgian over a move. However, the midfielder starts here.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this pretty mild evening in Norway. I shall discuss the home team a little bit later, but let's start with Man United. This fixture will represent the English club's penultimate pre-season friendly as they build towards the European Super Cup against Champions League holders Real Madrid on August 8.
Looking ahead, Mourinho's side will complete their preparations for the new campaign with a clash against Italian side Sampdoria in Dublin on Wednesday night, before as mentioned, taking on Spanish champions Real Madrid in Macedonia for the European Super Cup on August 8.
August 13 will then bring the start of the new Premier League season for Man United, who open their league campaign at home to West Ham United. It remains to be seen whether Mourinho has any more new faces for that match, but it is clear that the Portuguese wants at least one more summer arrival. Could that be Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic? It certainly seems so...
As mentioned, Man United will enter this match off the back of a pre-season tour of the United States. The Red Devils opened their tour with a 5-2 win over Los Angeles Galaxy on July 15, before beating Real Salt Lake 2-1 two days later as both MLS clubs were dispatched in relatively routine fashion.
The 20-time English champions then recorded an impressive 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Manchester City, before overcoming Real Madrid on penalties following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. The tour ended with a defeat, however, after losing 1-0 to Barcelona on Wednesday night. Mourinho revealed that he was "very happy" with the tour overall as injuries were kept to a minimum.
Summer signing Lukaku grabbed a couple of goals in North America, while the performances of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba suggested that Man United will be tough to stop in the Premier League this season. There are still concerns defensively, however, especially considering that key centre-back Eric Bailly will be suspended for the European Super Cup on August 8.
As for Valerenga, the capital club are currently 16 games into their Eliteserien campaign. They have won six, drawn five and lost five of their 16 league fixtures this term, with a total of 23 points leaving them seventh in the table. They are five-time winners of Norway's top flight, but have only won the championship once (2005) since 1984. It will be interesting to see the level of their performance tonight.
Valerenga will also enter this match on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions. They have drawn each of their last two in the league, however, the last of which was a 1-1 draw with Kristiansund on July 17. After this match, they will continue their domestic league campaign with a trip to struggling Stromsgodset on August 7. The atmosphere is building in this stadium.
There will be a familiar face in the home side's dugout tonight, meanwhile, with former Celtic head coach Ronny Deila currently in charge of the Norwegian club. The 41-year-old left Celtic in 2016 after two years with the Scottish giants, and took control of Valerenga in January.
TEAM CHANGE! Matteo Darmian starts ahead of Fosu-Mensah as Mourinho makes a late change to his team. No injury for Fosu-Mensah, rather a tactical switch at the final moment.
Valerenga actually welcomed Man United to this stadium for a pre-season friendly in August 2012, and that fixture finished goalless. I would be surprised if that was the case tonight when considering the amount of talent on the field, but Valerenga should provide tough opposition. Right, the two teams have joined us on the pitch, and we are just about ready for kickoff in Oslo!
KICKOFF! Valerenga kick things off in Oslo...
... Valerenga might be the home team tonight, but there are more red shirts in the stadium than anything else! Man United have a massive following in this part of the world, and the majority inside this ground are cheering for the English club, who are enjoying early possession of the ball.
CHANCE! Early chance for Man United, but Mkhitaryan cannot find a route past Kwarasey after being released into the home side's box. All Man United in these early exchanges.
Valerenga are doing their best to break into Man United's half of the field, but it is the team in grey playing all of the football at the moment, with Pogba and Mkhitaryan heavily involved early on.
Rashford is very much at centre-forward for Man United in these early moments, with Mata operating down the right, and Mkhitaryan starting from the left. Pogba, meanwhile, is pressing forward from the middle of the park. There is a nice early tempo to this pre-season fixture.
Pass, pass, pass from Man United as they continue to move through the lines. Blind and Darmian are very wide in the two full-back positions, which is creating an over-load in the final third.
Rashford breaks into the home side's box after meeting another searching pass from Pogba, but the England international is penalised for a foul on Lekven, who is a touch fortunate to get the free kick. The pitch is extremely wet here, which means that both defences will be on high alert.
Lots of possession for Man United as they continue to spend their time inside the Valerenga half, but the Red Devils have not had a chance to register since that early Mkhitaryan strike.
Man United have a free kick in a dangerous area as Pogba is felled by Lekven...
... Pogba's free kick is straight into the wall.
CROSSBAR! Pogba absolutely loves the woodwork, and the midfielder has struck the crossbar once again after looking to pick out the top corner. He just loves that woodwork!
Valerenga are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as Man United continue to force the issue in the final third of the field. Darmian reacts first to a loose ball inside the penalty area, but Finne is across to make the challenge. Still goalless with 16 minutes on the clock.
Man United continue to force the issue with a couple of crosses into the home side's box, but the ball falls for a blue shirt on both occasions, and Valerenga manage to clear their lines. The traffic is all one-way, however, with Mkhitaryan and Rashford causing problems in the final third of the field.
Still goalless with 21 minutes on the clock, but there is a good tempo to this pre-season clash.
Half-chance for Man United as Fellaini finds Mkhitaryan just outside the home side's box, but the Armenian's volley was always wide of the post. The atmosphere has noticeably dropped here.
Worry for Man United as Mkhitaryan goes down after a collision with Agyiri.
Mkhitaryan is back on his feet, and it does appear that the attacker will be fit to continue. Still goalless with 25 minutes on the clock, but it has been all Man United in Oslo tonight.
Pass, pass, pass from Man United as the Red Devils continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. However, Valerenga are pretty comfortable in their defensive shape. Just a reminder that Man United boss Mourinho is expected to make at least five changes at the half-time interval.
Comfortable save for Kwarasey as Pogba looks to find the bottom corner from distance.
Half-chance for Rashford this time as the young forward finds space just outside the home side's box, but his effort was always curling wide of the post. Still goalless in the first period here.
The rain continues to fall in Oslo as Man United move the ball from left to right in the final third of the field. Valerenga have hardly been out of their own half, but the Norwegian side have been pretty strong as a defensive unit. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Much better from the home side in the last few minutes as they enjoy some good possession.
Not too much happening at the moment as Valerenga continue to keep Man United at bay. The Red Devils started well, but the hosts have been quite comfortable for some time now!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and I cannot imagine that Mourinho will be too pleased with what he has seen. Man United have dominated the possession, but they have been a little bit wasteful in the final third of the field. It is a game that has needed a goal for some time!
CHANCE! Super chance for Man United as Mkhitaryan drives a low cross towards Blind, but the Dutchman's clever flick is wide of the far post. It would have been some goal!
Rashford takes his time to recover from a barge from Tollas, but the forward is back on his feet!
Quite an untidy game at the moment as both sets of players commit late challenges.
Pogba delivers a dangerous cross into the home side's box after breaking clear down the right, but Jaager is on hand to head behind. The resulting corner is then cleared by Tollas.
GOAL! Valerenga 0-1 Man United (Fellaini)
Man United make the breakthrough in the 44th minute as Fellaini heads a super Mkhitaryan cross into the back of the net. It actually deflected off the shoulder of Tollas, but the goal belongs to Fellaini!
HALF-TIME: Valerenga 0-1 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first 45 minutes to a close with Man United leading 1-0 courtesy of a header from Fellaini, which came just moments before the interval. It has not been the most enthralling of pre-season friendlies, but Man United have shown some nice football.
BENCH WATCH! Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Mitchell, McTominay and Andreas Pereira will all come off the Man United bench at the interval, head coach Mourinho has already confirmed. Meanwhile, Lukaku, Martial and Herrera are among those that should also feature in the second period. As for the home side, the likes of Donnum, Fridjonsson and Ibrahim should also see some minutes.
RESTART! Man United resume the action here...
... MAN UNITED SUBS! Smalling, Martial, Herrera, Fosu-Mensah, Pereira, Lukaku, McTominay, Mitchell, Tuanzebe have all come off the Man United bench at the interval.
Romero is still in goal for Man United, but as expected, there have been a whole host of changes. Mourinho also confirmed pre-match that the Red Devils would switch to a back three for the second period, and that is indeed the case. Lindelof has also come on for the away side.
GOAL! Valerenga 0-2 Man United (Lukaku)
Man United double their lead in the 47th minute as Lukaku rises at the near post to head a brilliant Pereira corner into the back of the net. Wonderful work from the summer signing there!
Martial has made a very bright start to the second period as the Frenchman continues to cause panic inside the home side's box. The former Monaco youngster looks up for this match.
Half-chance for Martial as Fosu-Mensah finds the Frenchman with a brilliant cross, but his header is over the crossbar. Man United look capable of scoring four or five in this second period.
Just a reminder that next up for Man United is a clash with Sampdoria in Dublin on Wednesday night. That will be the club's final pre-season match before the European Super Cup!
The home side just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Man United continue to force the issue, and Martial is like a man possessed as he continues to drive into the penalty area.
BOOKING! Lundstrom (Valerenga) is booked for a poor tackle on Martial.
Little under 30 minutes of this pre-season friendly remaining, and Man United still lead 2-0. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals, however, especially as Martial and Lukaku continue to cause problems in the final third of the field. Nothing much down the other end though.
MAN UNITED SUBS! Joel Pereira and McTominay replace Romero and Pogba.
Possession football from Man United as they continue to work the home side across the field.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to register as Zahid finds all sorts of space inside the Man United box, but the number 10 somehow misses the crossbar!
VALERENGA SUB! Lundstrom is replaced by Gleditsch.
Mitchell goes down inside the Valerenga box under pressure from Gleditsch, but the referee is not interested. There is no question that it was a clumsy challenge from the substitute.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining here, and it must be said that it has been very, very comfortable for Man United, who lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from Fellaini and Lukaku. The only surprise is that the 20-time English champions have not been able to build on their two-goal lead.
GOAL! Valerenga 0-3 Man United (McTominay)
What a wonderful goal that is! Man United make it 3-0 in the 70th minute as McTominay uses his strength to wriggle free inside the home side's box before lifting the ball into the far corner!
CHANCE! Lukaku turns clear outside the home side's box before looking to pick out the bottom corner, but the striker's effort is just wide of the post!
Too easy for Man United as they continue to pop the ball around in the middle of the park. Valerenga are doing their best to resist the pressure, but there are some tired legs out there.
BOOKING! Ibrahim (Valerenga) is booked for a late challenge on McTominay.
CHANCE! Mitchell breaks down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the Valerenga box, but there are no takers. Eventually a mistake from the goalkeeper presents McTominay with a shooting chance, but the midfielder sees his goal-bound strike cleared!
VALERENGA SUB! Zahid is replaced by Christian Dahle Borchgrevink.
Fosu-Mensah has again been impressive down the right for Man United, and you suspect that the Dutchman could have a part to play for the Red Devils this season. The same can be said for a number of youngsters. The future is looking bright for Man United, that is for sure.
Valerenga could do with the final whistle here as they continue to struggle against a dominant Man United team. In truth, the gulf between these two teams has been absolutely staggering here.
Possession football for Man United as they move from left to right in the final third of the field. You get the feeling that there might be another goal in the final stages of this pre-season clash.
McTominay has one blocked after smart work from Fosu-Mensah on the right.
FULL-TIME: Valerenga 0-3 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United running out 3-0 winners over Valerenga in Oslo. The Red Devils will now travel to Dublin to take on Sampdoria on Wednesday night in their final pre-season match. Thanks for joining us once again. Until next time!
