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Kristiansund BK 0-1 Man United: Late Juan Mata penalty seals victory

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's son, Noah, came on for Kristiansund to make his senior debut

Juan Mata celebrates scoring with Manchester United team-mates against Kristiansund
Image: Juan Mata celebrates scoring with Manchester United team-mates against Kristiansund

Manchester United made it five wins from five in pre-season as Juan Mata's stoppage time penalty sealed a 1-0 victory against Norwegian top-flight side Kristiansund BK in Oslo.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side looked set to be frustrated at the Ullevaal Stadion until Mata, who was brought down by goalkeeper Andreas Vaikla after latching onto Paul Pogba's pass, scored the late spot kick to continue United's winning run.

There was more joy for Solskjaer in Oslo as he watched his son Noah come on as a late Kristiansund substitute to make his senior debut.

United's final pre-season game takes place on Saturday against AC Milan at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff before their Premier League opener against Chelsea, live on Sky Sports on Sunday August 11 (kick-off at 4pm).

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United's frustrating evening

It was a game of two goalkeepers for Manchester United as first Sean McDermott, and then substitute Serigne Mor Mbaye kept Solksjaer's side at bay for 90 minutes.

Man Utd's starting XI

De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic, McTominay, James, Lingard, Martial, Rashford.

McDermott, who received a Republic of Ireland call-up in 2018, made a number of brilliant saves during the first-half to deny Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard.

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Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is challenged by Kristiansund's Aliou Coly
Image: Marcus Rashford is challenged by Kristiansund's Aliou Coly

But it was Scott McTominay who went closest to breaking the deadlock just before the interval when his powerful strike hit the inside of the post and rebounded to safety.

Mbaye came on to replace McDermott at the break and continued where his team-mate left off as he produced a superb one-handed stop to deny Rashford.

Manchester United midfielder Daniel James in action with Kristiansund's Serigne Mor Mbaye
Image: Manchester United midfielder Daniel James in action during the friendly against Kristiansund

Solskjaer made 11 changes on the hour mark as Pogba and Mata came on alongside youngsters Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong, but they continued to be frustrated as Mbaye.

United's change XI

Romero, Dalot, Tuanzebe, Rojo, Young, Pogba, Fred, Pereira, Mata, Chong, Greenwood.

The United manager's frustration turned to pride in the 87th minute as he embraced his son Noah before he entered the field to make his senior debut for the Norwegian side.

And soon after Solskjaer was celebrating again as Mata, who was brought down in stoppage time by Kristiansund's third goalkeeper Vaikla after being played in on goal by Pogba's inch-perfect pass, scored United's winner fro the penalty spot.

“It was special of course, for the boy. It was a proud moment for me as well.”
Solskjaer on son Noah's senior debut

Bailly out for four to five months

Solskjaer's return to his hometown club was marred by the confirmation that defender Eric Bailly faces up to five months out following knee surgery.

Bailly suffered the injury during United's 2-1 win over Tottenham in their pre-season meeting in Shanghai last week, and Solskjaer revealed the extent of Bailly's injury after the game in Oslo.

"He's had an operation," Solskjaer said. "He'll miss the best part of four or five months. Hopefully, we'll get him back around about Christmas.

"It was positive news from the surgeon, he had the operation this morning. He was positive it was all repaired and that he'll be fine."

Manchester United in pre-season

July 13: Perth Glory 0-2 Manchester United

July 17: Manchester United 4-0 Leeds

July 20: Manchester United 1-0 Inter Milan

July 25: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United

July 30: Kristiansund 0-1 Manchester United

August 3: AC Milan - Principality Stadium, Cardiff

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