Manchester United traveled south to the outskirts of London for a Premier League match against Luton Town FC at Kenilworth Road earlier today. Luton, colloquially known as the Hatters, have been a tough nut to crack in their own stadium this season. They are very much in the relegation battle, but have taken teams like Liverpool, Man City, and Arsenal to the very brink already. They would have been more than happy with a draw in this match, as every point is vital for them as we edge closer to the business end of the season. United’s away form has improved of late, but they are still in 6th place heading into this match, needing to keep pace with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
The match got off to a flying start for the Red Devils, with striker Rasmus Højlund putting United ahead 1-0 just 37 seconds into the match. The United defense cleared a long ball over the top in the general direction of Højlund, and it should have been easily collected and recycled by the Hatters back line. However, the first touch from the defender was a very poor one, and it allowed Højlund to run on to the ball in behind the Luton defense. He took a touch to play it forward, another touch to take it around Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski, then buried a low shot into an empty net from about 12 yards out. It was a bit lucky to be sure, but credit to Højlund for continuing to run and press. You have to be lucky in this game sometimes, but you also have to be in a position to take advantage of that luck when it breaks your way. Højlund is now the youngest player to score in 5 straight Premier League matches, and this goal was also the fastest away goal for United in over 30 years. I am very happy he has found his form, like we all knew he would.
Højlund and United were not done, either. They won a corner around the 7 minute mark, and the ball was played in aerially by left back Luke Shaw. Luton only half-cleared the cross though, and it fell to winger Alejandro Garnacho on the right side of the penalty box near it’s edge. He lashed a shot towards goal, and it took a deflection off Højlund’s chest before bouncing over the line. Kaminski had no chance, Højlund was just in the right place at the right time. Luck again played a role in this goal, but the chest control and re-direction of the ball seemed to be intentional from the big Dane. Højlund now had a brace, and it was again the fastest brace in the history of the Prem from United! No matter what we do looking ahead, Højlund needs to be leading the attacking line.
There was a hiccup for United about 7 minutes later though, when Luton took the opportunity to get themselves on the score sheet too. They looked like they were going to get ripped apart early on, but they regained some composure and pulled one back on 14 minutes via striker Carlton Morris. Midfielder Tahith Chong (a former United academy player) tried to get a shot away inside the box, but it deflected off the foot of center back Harry Maguire and up into the air. Morris was first to get his head to the ball, and it was too close to keeper Andre Onana to be kept out. It was a little bit of a soft goal to concede, but it was a reminder that losing focus for even a few seconds can lead to punishment. All credit to the Hatters for endeavoring and not falling apart after being down 2-0 early on.
That Luton goal set the tone for the rest of the half though. Worryingly, United seemed content to sit back and defend while Luton ran at them. Morris went close to getting another one on 36 minutes, and frankly the Red Devils were fortunate to get to half time with a lead. Midfielder Casemiro was on a yellow card so he was replaced with Scott McTominay at halftime, with Maguire going off as well. He was replaced by 36 year-old center back Jonny Evans.
The second half continued similar to the end of the first half. United would have the odd spells of possession here and there, but it was mostly Luton on the ball and they were creating chances. Paradoxically however, United’s chances were the better ones. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes and winger/forward Marcus Rashford both failed to score from good positions, and then Garnacho really should have finished the game off on 67 minutes after he was put through on goal by Rashford. Indecision struck him at the worst time however, and his effort was blocked by a retreating Hatters defender. United looked very promising on the counter-attack every time they went forward, but the finishing was poor. Højlund could have had a hat-trick as well, but he was denied from point blank range by Kaminski.
The score remained the same, and it made for a very tense finish for both sides. Luton were really piling on the pressure, and they had all the chances as the game drew to a close. Every time they got close though, a United defender was there to make a key block, or Onana was on hand to make a save. United were not doing enough to keep the ball at the other end of the pitch though, and I feared a late equalizer from Luton. Midfielder Ross Barkley had a header clip the cross bar towards the end of stoppage time, and while it raised the pulses of the fans, it ultimately did not go in. The final whistle blew shortly after that, and United won 2-1.
Once again, a win is a win. Can’t complain about three points on the road in the Premier League too much. However, this was much more difficult than it needed to be. At 2-0 after 8 minutes, this never should have been close. Yet again though, ETH had his men sit back and defend the lead and it nearly cost us three points.
I was browsing a Reddit thread on this topic in mid-week and an interesting theory was put forward – that there is a disconnect between what ETH wants his players to do, and what he believes they are capable of doing. He might think that we simply don’t have the players in midfield to possess the ball with ease. McTominay is not Prem-caliber defensive mid, Casemiro has aged a lot, and the possession abilities of injured center back Lisandro Martinez are sorely missed. Kobbie Mainoo has been the only midfield player showing any degree of consistency, but it’s unfair and unwise to rely on an 18 year-old to be your best midfield player. Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount were supposed to help with this issue, but Eriksen is about the same age as Casemiro and Mount has been injured more than he’s been fit this season. ETH may think that this defensive/counter-attacking style of play is the only style that’s sustainable for us over the course of 90 minutes. There was a little bit more possession today as opposed to last week, but again Luton had plenty of chances to find their equalizer. The solution to this problem is reinforcements in midfield over the summer, but we are still quite a ways off from being able to bring in fresh blood. United fans may be stuck with this nerve-wracking style of play until the end of the season.
Still, great games from Højlund, Garnacho (minus his finishing), Mainoo, and Evans. Evans needs praise in particular, not only for continuing to play at his advanced age, but his ability to consistently prove doubters wrong. I include myself in that category. I did not think there was much he could do for us any more at this level, but he was a rock today when he came on at halftime. A quick message as well to England manager Gareth Southgate – get Mainoo in this team! He’s a brilliant midfielder and he would fit in well in the middle of the park with the national team.
United remain 6th after this result, but they are a scant 5 points off Aston Villa in 4th place. United next play on February 24th at Old Trafford against Fulham. Another three points must be secured to keep the pressure on the clubs above us.
Glory Glory Man United! Glazers Out!
4-4-2 