Rasmus Hojlund Double Gives Manchester United 2-1 Win at Luton Town

Rasmus Hojlund scored two goals in the opening seven minutes as Manchester United earned their fourth successive Premier League win on Sunday afternoon, beating Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road. 

Hojlund gave the Red Devils the lead after just 49 seconds when he capitalised on Amari’i Bell’s loose pass, and doubled the advantage when he showed quick reactions to chest in from Alejandro Garnacho’s volley. 

Luton halved the deficit after Carlton Morris headed Tahith Chong’s deflected shot past Andre Onana, and United were fortunate to clinch all three points after Ross Barkley’s last-gasp header landed on top of the crossbar.

 

The Hatters got off to the worst possible start in front of the Sky Sports cameras when Bell watched Raphael Varane’s clearance bounce over his shoulder and inexplicably scuffed a pass towards Thomas Kaminski. Hojlund intervened with ease and rounded the Town keeper before smashing into the net from just inside the box.

Before Luton could regain their composure they were two behind. Luke Shaw’s corner from the left was headed out to Garnacho on the edge of the box whose first-time volley was redirected across goal and over the line by the quick-thinking Hojlund. 

Musician and Manchester United fan Harry Styles was watching from the stands alongside Luton legend Mick Harford, and the pair were pictured sharing a pack of mints in the early moments at Kenilworth Road. 

The unlikely pair were given more action to enjoy when Luton pulled one goal back on 14 minutes. Alfie Doughty passed into Chong in the area who spun and shot. The effort was deflected into the air by Harry Maguire and Morris stole in to nod past the star-jumping Onana - netting his fourth goal of his last five Premier League appearances. 

Luton probed for a swift equaliser and came close when Morris dragged wide from the edge of the box. Then Casemiro should have been shown a second yellow card when he lunged in late on Ross Barkley, but the Brazilian was handed a reprieve by referee David Coote. 

The hosts continued to attack down the left flank when Chong, Morris and Doughty combined, resulting in the full-back shooting wide of the left post with his right foot.

Luke Shaw was withdrawn on the cusp of half-time by United boss Erik Ten Hag and replaced with Victor Lindelof. The precautionary move was taken after Shaw – who had fitness concerns leading up to the fixture – was shown a yellow card for flooring the pacy Chiedozie Ogbene. 

At half time, Ten Hag also removed the booked Maguire and Casemiro and introduced Jonny Evans and Scott McTominay. 

After the break, Rashford raced forward and jinked onto his left foot before unleashing a fierce shot towards the bottom right corner. Kaminski darted down to his left and held out a strong left hand to stop the shot and collect the ball at the second attempt. 

Luton had gained plenty of territory and possession in pursuit of the elusive equalising goal, but United repeatedly sprung forward on the counter attack and should have netted a third when Garnacho passed to Fernandes. He rounded the stranded Kaminski but saw his shot blocked by Albert Sambi Lokonga. When all seemed lost, the Town midfielder lunged towards the ball and denied Fernandes with an outstretched right foot.  

Kaminski came out to smother a Hojlund shot at the end of another blistering counter attack on 77 minutes, but almost undid his fine work by passing straight to Fernandes as the clock ticked towards stoppage time. Much to the Belgian’s relief, Fernandes drilled his shot inches wide of the far post. 

In one final roll of the dice, Luton substitute Luke Berry swung a corner across from the left flank in stoppage time. Barkley did brilliantly to meet the ball at the front post and steer his header across goal, but the attempt landed on top of the crossbar and bounced behind, with Barkley left holding his head in his hands.