Luton vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Rasmus Hojlund double
Luton 1-2 Manchester United: Hojlund’s double made it four wins in a row for the visitors, but Erik ten Hag’s side had to hang on to earn three points at Kenilworth Road
Rasmus Hojlund’s early double earned Manchester United their fourth win Premier League in a row but a resilient Luton Town made it an awkward afternoon for Erik ten Hag’s team at Kenilworth Road.
With Harry Styles watching on, Hojlund continued his fine form with two goals inside the first seven minutes, including a composed finish after just 35 seconds to give United the lead.
But Luton responded when Carlton Morris committed to a brave header to pull one back, and United were unable to kill off the hosts in the second half, with Alejandro Garnacho wasting the best of the opportunities.
It meant United had to hang on to see out the win, with Ross Barkley hitting the bar in stoppage time, but the victory closes the gap on the Premier League’s top four as Ten Hag’s side managed to build on their resurgent form.
Follow live updates from Luton vs Manchester United in today’s live blog and get all the latest odds and tips on the match here.
Luton 0-1 Manchester United
5 mins: United continue to pile forward as they look for another early strike. Garnacho feeds Rashford on the edge of the box and his deflected effort almost catches out Kaminski who has to make a smart reflex save to divert it away from goal.
Luton 0-1 Manchester United
4 mins: That’s six in six now for Hojlund, who becomes the youngest ever player to achieve that feat in the Premier League.
GOAL! Luton 0-1 Manchester United (Hojlund, 1 min)
United lead after 37 seconds!
Well, that was quick. Hojlund’s remarkable scoring run continues as the United forward takes advantage of a misplaced pass from Bell to burst through on goal.
The Dane makes no mistake, rounding Kaminski before slotting into the empty net. The perfect start for the visitors.
KICK-OFF! Luton 0-0 Manchester United
1 min: The home side get us underway in the first half.
Kick-off coming up
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off then and the atmosphere is bouncing here at Kenilworth Road.
What has the next 90 minutes got in store for us? Let’s find out...
Favourable record for the Red Devils
Kenilworth Road may be a hostile atmosphere for travelling teams but United are blessed with a supreme record at the stadium and against Luton. The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Luton in all competitions (W10 D2), since a 2-1 loss at Kenilworth Road in March 1987.
Erik ten Hag has also won all nine of his Premier League games against newly promoted clubs. The only two managers to win their first 10 games against promoted clubs in the competition are José Mourinho (first 15) and Roberto Mancini (first 12).
Will both records be extended today?
Late change for Luton
The home side have been forced into a late switch after Adebayo pulled up in the warm-up. Woodrow will replace him up front, starting his first game in the Premier League this season.
Hojlund’s hot streak
After a slow start in a United shirt, the youngster has enjoyed a remarkable purple patch in front of goal with goals in each of his last five matches.
A goal in this game would see him become the youngest ever player to score in six in a row, with Joe Willock the current youngest (21 years, 272 days).
The stage is set
Around twenty minutes to go until kick-off here at Kenilworth Road. The pitch is looking pristine.
Tom Lockyer: ‘My heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds - I literally died’
Luton captain Tom Lockyer said he “literally died” after his heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds during his harrowing on-pitch cardiac arrest.
The 29-year-old Welshman, speaking at length for the first time since he collapsed in the 59th minute of the Hatters’ abandoned Premier League game against Bournemouth on December 16, admitted it is “out of his hands” if he will ever play again.
Lockyer was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator after he was hospitalised for five days.
Reliving the incident which rocked the football world, Lockyer, who also suffered a collapse during May’s Championship play-off victory against Coventry, told Sky Sports: “It was just a normal day, and that was the most worrying thing because I felt completely fine.
“I have been looking for answers since but I have not been able to find any because it was just another day at the office.
“I was running towards the halfway line and I went really light headed. I thought I’d be ok in a second but I wasn’t. I woke up and the paramedics were there. I knew instantly it was different to my collapse in May. Last time it felt like I woke up from a dream, and this time I woke up from nothingness.”
Tom Lockyer: ‘My heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds - I literally died’
The Luton captain suffered an on-pitch cardiac arrest in December and admits it is out of his hands if he will ever play again
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