Manchester United 2, Luton Town 1
Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in the first seven minutes as Manchester United edged past Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn-form Hojlund hit his first Premier League double – to take his Reds tally to 8 goals in 8 games and 13 in all competitions this term.
But the Reds still exhibit fragility as they had to survive several scares before securing victory after a frustrating day in front of goal after an exciting first 10 minutes.
Carlton Morris exposed defensive frailty at United by halving the deficit after 14 minutes and Luton edged the rest of the game for possession as chances came for both sides – the Hatters recorded a record number of shots on goal in the Premier League with 22 – one more than United – from 58% of possession.
The Reds recorded a fourth straight Premier League win in a row – continuing an unbeaten run of 7 games in all competitions since the start of the year – and finally reached a positive goal difference since the start of the season as United consolidated their grip on 6th place and are now within 3 points of Tottenham and a possible place in the Champions League next season.
United were unchanged from the side that beat Aston Villa last week while Luton had to make a late change to their lineup when Elijah Adebayo pulled up in the warm-up leaving Cauley Woodrow to start in his stead and the Hatters also named ex-United players Teden Menghi and Tahiti Chong in their starting lineup.
Rasmus Hojlund scored after 37 seconds after a catastrophic error by Luton’s defence when Amari’i Bell’s attempt to deal with a long hoof upfield by Casemiro went straight to the Danish striker who rounded Thomas Kaminski and punished the Hatters.
Kaminski saved from Rashford less than four minutes later as United tried to build on their superb start.
But the Reds did get their second after 7 minutes when Hojlund chested Alejandro Garnacho’s shot, which was going wide, past Kaminski after Luton failed to clear a United corner.
Rashford kept up the pressure with another run and shot while Chiedozie Ogbene’s volley was collected by Andre Onana as Luton tried to recover from their nightmare start.
But Luton got back into the game after Carlton Morris headed home after Tahith Chong’s shot was deflected into the air off Harry Maguire and fell into the path of Morris who nodded the hosts back into the game from close range after 14 minutes.
And Luton tried to capitalise on the goal with a period of positive dominance without quite challenging Onana – Woodrow’s shot was blocked by Raphael Varane after a poor pass by Maguire went to Ross Barkley.
Morris also drove a shot wide as the Hatters put the Reds under serious pressure.
Casemiro narrowly escaped a second yellow card after lunging to bring down Barkley shortly before half time as United wobbled.
Morris was brought down by Maguire outside of the United box after Casemiro declined to make a tackle in the build-up but Alfie Doughty could only strike the United wall with his free kick and fire wide with a chance in added time as the Reds somehow survived the rest of the first half without conceding an equaliser.
Slower second half but still full of chances for both sides
Scott McTominay and Jonny Evans came on for Casemiro and Maguire in a double change at half time after Luke Shaw was forced off in added time and replaced by Victor Lindelof.
Fernandes’ strike early in the second half struck McTominay as Luton were caught by surprise by the Reds – Kaminski had to pluck the ball from Diogo Dalot’s feet shortly afterwards.
Rashford’s fierce shot was saved by Kaminski while Bruno Fernandes was denied by a last ditch tackle by Sambi Lokonga after the Luton keeper had gone to ground early leaving the empty goal exposed.
Garnacho’s low shot was also saved by Kaminski as Luton weathered the United storm midway through the second half.
And the Argentinian youngster was distraught after he failed to beat Kaminski again after he was sent clean through – the keeper recovered after going to ground again and had support from retreating Luton players.
Chiedozie Ogebene had sent a tame shot into the arms of Onana but Woodrow and Chong were taken off for Andros Townsend and Jordan Clark for the last 22 minutes of the game for the Hatters.
Gabriel Osho’s late shot was blocked by both Varane and Fernandes before a grateful Onana jumped on the loose ball.
Kaminski denied Hojund a hat trick when he blocked the young Dane’s shot after he ran on to a cutback by Garnacho.
Doughty was replaced by Luke Berry for the last 8 minutes while Hojlund was replaced by Sofyan Amrabat soon afterwards with United looking to secure the points in the last 5 minutes.
Fernandes dragged a late shot wide after Kaminski passed the ball straight to the United captain.
United had to survive some late Luton set pieces with Ross Barkley’s header dropping onto the crossbar from Berry’s final corner and Clark’s last gasp strike saved by Onana.