Man United v Luton LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as United hang on for unconvincing win
Man Utd 1-0 Luton: Victor Lindelof’s second-half goal was just about enough to keep the wolves from the door for Erik ten Hag
Defender Victor Lindelof scored in the second half as struggling Manchester United breathed a collective sigh of relief with a scrappy 1-0 victory over Luton Town in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s team, who have won two successive league games after stumbling to their worst start since 1962, provisionally climbed two spots in the standings into sixth place on 21 points after 12 games. Luton, who have just one league victory in their debut season in the top flight, meanwhile are 17th.
United created numerous chances as they dominated the game before Lindelof finally broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, the Swede smashing home from 16 yards after the Hatters failed to clear Marcus Rashford’s cross.
The victory was a welcome reprieve for United, who have lost nine of their last 18 games in all competitions, have been eliminated from the League Cup and are struggling in the Champions League after a 4-3 loss at Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Relive the action from Old Trafford below:
Manchester United vs Luton Town
The teams enter the Old Trafford pitch and kick-off is now just moments away! Who will come out on top? We will find out shortly!
Manchester United vs Luton Town
Edwards names an unchanged starting XI from the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend, with Chong still on the bench despite netting the goal to put the Hatters 1-0 up in that match. Kabore impressed against the Reds and retains his place on the right of the four midfielders, while Morris will look to end a run of five games without a goal, leading the line and flanked by Townsend and Ogbene.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
Erik ten Hag makes two changes from the defeat at Copenhagen, with Evans absent after limping off in that match because of a muscle injury. Interestingly, there is still no start for Varane, with Lindelof the man chosen to deputise for Evans. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is absent from the squad altogether, with Reguilon starting in his place, while Hojlund will look to finally open his Premier League account here, scoring five times in four Champions League outings for United but yet to find the back of the net in the league.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
SUBS: Tahith Chong, Ryan Giles, Jordan Clark, Tim Krul, Elijah Adebayo, Zack Nelson, Luke Berry, Jacob Brown, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
LUTON TOWN (3-4-3): Thomas Kaminski; Gabriel Osho, Tom Lockyer, Teden Mengi; Alfie Doughty, Ross Barkley, Marvelous Nakamba, Issa Kabore; Andros Townsend, Carlton Morris, Chiedozie Ogbene.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
SUBS: Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, Hannibal Mejbri, Antony, Facundo Pellistri, Raphael Varane, Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Martial, Sofyan Amrabat.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Sergio Reguilon; Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
Luton also picked up a decent result last weekend, drawing 1-1 with in-form Liverpool at Kenilworth Road, though it could have been so much more with the Hatters leading until the 95th minute, when Luis Diaz nodded in an equaliser. Rob Edwards' men have only won one Premier League game this season, though that sole victory did come away from home, beating Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park in September.
Manchester United vs Luton Town
It has been another challenging week for the hosts, suffering a 4-3 Champions League defeat away at Copenhagen in midweek, one that leaves their chances of progression to the last 16 in serious doubt. That was their third defeat in four games in all competitions, though they did beat Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League last weekend thanks to Bruno Fernandes' injury-time winner.
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