Manchester United are responding to Erik ten Hag's transfer message

"Nicely done, Marcus Rashford," mused the Manchester United X account, offering a chef's kiss emoji. The clip was of an unmarked Rashford killing a ball on his chest, delaying, dashing down the byline and then getting tackled by a Rosenborg defender.

United's channels were keenly plugging their in-house station's coverage of the Rosenborg friendly but it was not an inducement for prospective subscribers. Years ago, a journalist nodded off in the press box during a United friendly and they would have struggled to stay conscious in Trondheim.

The game might have been more watchable if all of United's senior players had travelled. Harry Maguire is recovering from a calf injury yet Andre Onana, Victor Lindelof, Amad and Antony were not part of the 25-man travelling squad that included 17-year-olds.

Ten Hag said in San Diego last year he was dissatisfied with the sleep, recovery and nutrition of the squad. In his pre-match chat in Trondheim, he reiterated "as an individual, you must make sure you are fit". Jose Mourinho felt Antonio Valencia had "too much holiday" when he reported for pre-season six years ago.

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Any United fan who parted with their money for an MUTV login to watch Monday's match could have been forgiven for wondering what had changed. A depleted squad with half of the established players absent and the goal peppered with shots. Rosenborg racked up 22 attempts at goal and hit the woodwork four times.

Managers receive a hospital pass when they return for pre-season in a summer of international tournaments and Ten Hag confirmed the obvious in Norway: the majority of the squad members will not be in