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.
Erik ten Hag’s decisiveness saves Manchester United from sinking without a trace at Luton
A win is a win, and yet this was as wild and chaotic a win as Manchester United might experience all season. There were 43 shots, 28 fouls, eight yellow cards and somehow only three goals in a game that might have had 10.
There were glaring misses and terrible mistakes, and in amongst it all there was some brilliant football, too, most frequently found at the feet of Luton’s Ross Barkley and United’s Kobbie Mainoo. But Luton gave United a two-goal headstart, and ultimately that is why they lost this breathless show 2-1.
Lawrence Ostlere’s report from Kenilworth Road below:
Erik ten Hag’s decisiveness saves Manchester United from themselves at Luton
Luton Town 1-2 Manchester United: Rasmus Hojlund scored two early goals which ultimately decided a hectic game which either side could have won
Up next
Manchester United will look to make it five wins in a row to start 2024 next Saturday as they host Fulham. Luton, meanwhile, face a tough task getting back to winning ways as they travel to Anfield on Wednesday to take on Liverpool.
That’s all for today, though - thanks for tuning in!
Luton boss Rob Edwards speaking to Sky Sports
“We can’t give Man United a two-goal lead like that. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. Ultimately, 2-0 against a team like that is really difficult. No excuses. We play that way, we take the risk. We are going to make mistakes but it cost us today.
“It was a commitment to the gameplan, it didn’t collapse. We had a lot of control but we were vulnerable to the counter-attack. I was really pleased with how the players responded. We looked like a good team.”
On Casemiro’s possible red card: “Potentially. I think him coming off at half-time was a telltale sign to that one.”
On their form: “We’ve lost the last two but we got points in the previous one. We’re playing well, we’re performing well. No one can argue against now. It doesn’t get any easier now. We need to recover quickly and then we go away to Liverpool.”
More from Ten Hag
On Hojlund: “We recruited him on his character, I knew it was strong. He can really perform under stress and that is something you need a Man United striker. He doesn’t get nervous or lose confidence. He has a lot of confidence and I’m sure he will score even more.”
On Champions League spot: “I think we are back in the race and we are building momentum. We need to build pressure. Every game is a final to get closer to them.”
On INEOS’ takeover: “I have very good contacts. I know what’s going on. For Manchester United, it is very good. It’s highly ambitious. They are good people coming in. We are the project and they can help us and support us to accelerate this project.”
Erik ten Hag speaking to Sky Sports
“It was an easy game for the first ten minutes but then a difficult game because we didn’t take our chances and allowed them to get back in the game. With Garnacho and Rashford we missed big chances and then we dropped to deep and didn’t close down the half-spaces. We allowed them shots and crosses and made it difficult.”
“In the second half we had more opportunities - one has to go in and you make your life easy but we kept them in the game.”
On the half-time subs of Casemiro and Maguire: “I saw the reaction from the referee and I thought the next challenge they might get sent off and I couldn’t take that risk. With McTominay and Evans we have good replacements so don’t take that and I think it was the right decision.”
Luton’s Carlton Morris speaking to Sky Sports
“It’s hard not to be disappointed but we’re in a business where you can’t get too down or two up. We’ll look at what we’ve done for us to be goals down.
“I have so much faith in the boys that I never think we’re out of the game. We’ve shown we’re capable this season but it wasn’t to be.
“All the stuff we’ve worked on in the week was working. We had the majority of the ball against Man United. It shows how far we’ve come from the start of the season.
“You can say we’re performing well but it’s a results business. We need to perform better in both boxes and that’s something we’re working hard on.”
Happy travels
It’s four in a row for United but also seven wins away from home for United this season. Only Manchester City and Arsenal (both 8) have won more Premier League away games than United, with the Red Devils winning all three they’ve played on the road in the competition in 2024.
More from Hojlund
On his team-mates: “They’re quality players. I play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to keep playing with them and getting better. Hopefully, they can get better as well.”
On their current run of form: “This result was massive today. We’re closing the gap on Spurs and they play against Aston Villa in the next few weeks. We need to keep pushing - it’s our target to get Champions League football and go far in the FA Cup as well.
“It’s very important for us to win trophies and we will do everything we can to achieve that.”
Hojlund speaking to Sky Sports
“It was a good beginning. Two good & fast goals, then we dropped off a little bit. We get unfocused, they get one back. We know with this crowd and atmosphere that 2-1 is a dangerous result. We created a lot of chances in the second half, we just needed to score one of them - little bit annoyed by that.”
On his second goal: “I meant it 100 per cent. I turned my body. I was surprised, it was such a good goal. I try skills like that in training when doing kick-ups. I have confidence at the moment, so they go in.”
On his slow start: “I never doubted myself but of course, you can be a little down when you’re not scoring in the league, especially when you’re that young and the expectation is that high. But I always had belief in myself - I scored a lot of goals in the Champions League so I knew it was just a matter of time.”
Record fast start for United
Rasmus Hojlund scored Manchester United’s earliest-ever Premier League away goal (37 seconds), as well as giving them their fastest-ever 2-0 lead in an away Premier League game with his seventh-minute striker.
Let’s hear from the United goalscorer now.
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