Luton Town 1-2 Manchester United - Visitors hold on to edge Premier League win after early Rasmus Hojlund double
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Updated 18/02/2024 at 18:39 GMT
It looked like being a rout as Rasmus Hojlund pounced twice in the first 10 minutes to grab a swift double for Manchester United in their Premier League clash against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday afternoon. However, it ended up being a very tight contest as the hosts grabbed a goal back and put United under considerable pressure in the slim defeat.
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 0-1 during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Manchester United at Kenilworth Road
Image credit: Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six Premier League games in a row as Manchester United bolstered their Champions League hopes with a 2-1 win at struggling Luton Town.
The 21-year-old Dane opened the scoring in under 40 seconds when he capitalised upon Amari’i Bell’s error to round Thomas Kaminski and roll home.
Hojlund then grabbed his second of the contest on seven minutes when he reacted brilliantly to chest home Alejandro Garnacho’s volley.
Luton responded and dominated the remainder of the half with Carlton Morris becoming the first Hatters player to net in three consecutive Premier League matches when he pulled one back with a header on 14 minutes.
United were under the cosh and were fortunate to end the first period with 11 men as Casemiro somehow escaped a second caution for a late challenge on the impressive Ross Barkley.
The visitors regrouped following the interval and blew big chances through Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho and Hojlund while Rob Edwards’ men could not carve out the clear-cut opening to rescue a point.
The result means United have now won five matches on the spin in all competitions for the first time in just over and year and moves the sixth-placed Red Devils to within three points of Tottenham and five off Aston Villa in fourth spot.
The Hatters, who have now won just one of their last six league outings, remain 17th and are one point above the drop zone.
Next up, Luton’s survival push takes them to Anfield for a clash with league leaders Liverpool on Wednesday night, while Man United host Fulham on Saturday.
Talking Point – Man United survive Luton comeback surge to maintain 2024 momentum
The Red Devils appear to be clicking into gear at a significant moment and they produced a mix of magic and grit to pick up three important points here.
The lightning start threatened to blow The Hatters away, but when Luton responded, the visitors hung on to maintain their advantage. Indeed, as the match wore on Erik ten Hag’s men should have restored their two-goal cushion.
The mood around United has changed since the arrival of INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and this winning run puts them firmly in contention for a top-four push.
Player of the match
Rasmus Hojlund (Man United). The 21-year-old has well and truly found his feet in England’s top-flight and he was the match-winner here. The Denmark international exuded confidence and quality with an ice-cold opener before showing his instinctive ability in front of goal with an improvised chest finish to make it seven PL goals in six outings.
Player Ratings
LUTON: Kaminski 8, Mengi 7, Osho 8, Bell 6, Ogbene 8, Barkley 8, Sambi Lokonga 8, Doughty 8, Chong 7, Morris 8, Woodrow 6. Subs: Clark 6, Townsend 6, Berry n/a.
MAN UTD: Onana 6, Dalot 7, Maguire 6, Varane 7, Shaw 5, Casemiro 5, Mainoo 8, Fernandes 7, Rashford 7, Garnacho 8, Højlund 9. Subs: Lindelof 7, McTominay 7, Evans 8, Amrabat n/a.
Match Highlights
01’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-1 Man Utd: (Hojlund). It's an absolute disaster for Bell as his under-hit back pass is seized upon Hojlund, who rounds the keeper and slides home.
07’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-2 Man Utd: (Hojlund). The Dane flicks Garnacho's miscued volley into the net with his chest after Luton had failed to deal with a left-wing corner.
14’ – GOAL! – Luton 1-2 Man Utd: (Morris). Morris beats Onana to Chong's deflected shot on the turn and nods home from inside the six-yard box.
60’ – MAN UTD CHANCE! Take a bow Albert Sambi Lokonga! The midfielder gallops back to lunge into a goal-saving block on the stretch after Fernandes looked set to cap an explosive United counter by rounding the keeper and firing into an empty net.
67’ – MAN UTD CHANCE! Garnacho is sent clear on the goalkeeper by Rashford. He rounds Kaminski but over-complicates it and a turn back inside allows the keeper to make a block.
79’ – MAN UTD CHANCE! Hojlund is denied a hat-trick by Kaminski after the Dane was found free in the area by Garnacho.
90+4’ – LUTON CHANCE! Barkley meets a left-wing corner but sees his header clip the top of the crossbar and fly over.
Key Stats
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