Despite a more than promising start to the game, Manchester United ultimately scraped to an away win at Luton. Striker Höjlund secured a Premier League record
With a 2-1 win at Aston Villa, Manchester United confirmed their improving form and at least narrowed the gap to the Champions League places. Head coach Erik ten Hag therefore saw no reason to make any changes to the starting eleven for the hosts, promoted and relegated Luton Town.
The Hatters, who started with former Man United players Mengi and Chong in place of Burke and Clark (both bench) after the 3-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, suffered a bitter setback before kick-off: Top scorer Adebayo suffered an injury in the warm-up, forcing Woodrow to replace him in the starting line-up.
Höjlund scores twice
The opening period gave the visitors hope of a shooting match, as Höjlund capitalized on a catastrophic lapse by Bell after just 37 seconds and scored for the sixth consecutive league game. The Dane even secured a Premier League record by becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.
But that was not all: just six minutes later, the center forward completed his brace by deflecting Garnacho’s volley into the net with his chest. Rashford (10′) and Garnacho (13′) created two more good chances for the Red Devils immediately after the 2-0 scoreline, but they came to nothing.
Morris’ follow-up goal turns the game
Just a minute after Garnacho’s chance, Morris finally scored the equalizer out of nothing. Luton’s captain reacted quickest after Chong’s shot was blocked and headed the ball past Onana into the net.
From then on, the game turned completely. The Hatters took control but were not rewarded for their great efforts. Woodrow (30), Morris (37) and Doughty (45.+2) missed a number of notable scoring opportunities for the home side in the first half
Chance proliferation on both sides – crossbar saves for Man United
After United had to make an injury change before the break and bring on Lindelöf for Shaw (45.+3), coach ten Hag doubled his efforts after the break. Evans and McTominay came on for Maguire and Casemiro, who both had yellow cards.
Dangerous opportunities then arose on both sides. In the 57th minute, Luton keeper Kaminski made a strong save from Rashford, and three minutes later Lokonga prevented Bruno Fernandes from making it 3-1 with a picture-book save. Within two minutes, Luton’s Osho (77′) and Höjlund (78′) also missed for the visitors, who threw everything forward again in the final minutes.
However, it was ultimately not to be for the Hammers after Barkley’s header in the fourth minute of stoppage time hit the crossbar and did not find its way into the net.
While Luton are away to Liverpool next Wednesday (8.30pm), Man United are not back in action until Saturday. The Red Devils will then welcome Fulham FC to Old Trafford (4pm)
