The Manchester United team suffered a setback in Norway to start their preseason campaign under ERIK TEN HAG’s direction.

He made 11 changes to the outfield at halftime, but even though it was only a friendly, he said it was “not good enough” as the Red Devils lost by an injury time goal.

Despite having a weaker roster, stars like Mason Mount, Aaran Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford played in the first half.

Marcus Rashford was in action for Man Utd against Rosenborg tonightHe was unable to find a breakthrough as he got 45 minutes under his beltErik ten Hag suffered defeat in Utd’s first pre-season gameGoalkeeper Radek Vitek was the best performer for the Red DevilsMason Mount got 45 minutes of action under his belt in Norway

Ten Hag, the stern taskmaster who has continued to lead United despite the axe’s threat, was not pleased either.

“The performance is below standard,” he cried angrily.

“It is far from satisfactory. It is not what elite football is all about.

“It is true that we are not yet match fit, and our opponent had considerably greater levels of fitness, but we are still Manchester United, and our players ought to perform better.”

Granted that Rosenborg is only 15 games into the season, United was defeated by a goal from Noah Holm in injury time.

But a cent for Rashford’s opinions after he participated in the first half.

Here he was on the day the gallant Three Lions of England returned from a devastating defeat in the Euro final.

Rashford was involved in the last time the competition reached that stage. He was counted on to take a spot kick in the shootout against Italy at Wembley, but he missed as England lost.

In the most recent World Cup, he scored three goals to help Gareth Southgate lead his team to the quarterfinals. Then, too, he was deeply involved in all of it.

Actually, he had been a major player in Southgate’s narrative from the beginning, including the team’s 2018 World Cup run to the final four.

Without participating in everything, you cannot score 17 goals and get 60 caps.

Not at this time, when he should be at his prime at age 26.

Not since the 1-0 loss to Brazil at home in March of last year, to be exact.

Instead he was here playing to a backdrop of near silence in a mindnumbing pre-season game, from which goalie Radek Vitek emerged as the player of the match, that clearly did not impress the boss.

The performance was indicative of many from Rashford last season, even if it was the first in pre-season.

However, he must take action during United’s summer preparations, which travel to the USA the next week following a Saturday game at Hampden against Rangers.

In 2022-23 he posted season best figures of 30 goals, then it all went, as it can so quickly in football if a young player loses focus as he did last season.

He lost the team after a falling out with the manager.

Off-field nights out coupled with on field performances at odds with his previous campaign saw the slide last season with club and country.

It was just injury for Mason Mount that saw him left out as he struggled for games last season.

Perhaps the surroundings and standard of this game helped to bring it home, dare I say, even to these senior players including Casemiro, no longer involved with Brazil who have been at the Copa America.

He was the subject of a studs up challenge from Tomas Nemcik which should have seen red in the first half but is ok.

Ten Hag said: “There were so many bad tackles in the first-half.”

He is already not content.