Manchester United vs Luton Town. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance73,599.
Report and highlights as Victor Lindelof's goal spares Man Utd's blushes on a frustrating afternoon; Erik ten Hag's side were dominant but poor in front of goal with Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho missing big chances; four wins from five in the league moves United up to sixth
Sunday 12 November 2023 07:19, UK
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the goals will come after his side laboured to a 1-0 win over Premier League strugglers Luton at Old Trafford.
Defender Victor Lindelof's first goal for nearly three years was the difference as United endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. Rasmus Hojlund - yet to score in the league after nine games - and Alejandro Garnacho were guilty of spurning golden chances.
"As long as we create the chances [the goals] will come. I am confident about that," said Ten Hag, who has not seen any of his forward players score since the defeat at Arsenal on September 3.
The United manager has now overseen four wins from five in the league to bring his side within three points of fourth, but is suspended for the trip to Everton after the international break for picking up his third yellow card this season.
United's unfortunate run with injuries continued, though, as Denmark internationals Hojlund (hamstring) and Christian Eriksen (knee) were forced off early.
Luton's winless run extends to six games in the Premier League and have been dragged back into the relegation zone after Bournemouth beat Newcastle 2-0 on Saturday Night Football.
Manchester United assumed control against Luton immediately at Old Trafford, the visitors happy to test their defence against Ten Hag's shaky side. The first half created a nervous tension around the ground as the home support watched their team toil in front of goal.
The tone was set when Hojlund failed to score from point-blank range after 10 minutes. Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski made himself big to keep out the striker's kneed effort, extending his wait for a Premier League goal to nine games.
Luton had their chances despite United having more than three-quarters of possession in the first half. Andre Onana produced a good save down to his left to deny Carlton Morris' header after 36 minutes to further add to the tense mood.
It looked as though it would be one of those days for United when Garnacho took an age to shoot in a one-on-one situation just before the break. After Wednesday's chaotic 4-3 defeat at FC Copenhagen, there was no telling how they would respond.
Hojlund's problems in front of goal persisted in the second half. He was unable to hit the target with a header when found free in the box by Bruno Fernandes. The £72m signing subsequently came off in the closing stages with a hamstring problem.
United needed a shade of luck for the winner. The ball fell kindly for Lindelof after Scott McTominay's shot was blocked and the defender made no mistake as he scored his first goal since December 2020.
Antony came on for Garnacho and perhaps should have had his first assist of the season but Marcus Rashford's struggles in front of goal showed no signs of improving. The forward still has not scored since United's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.
Luton gave United some nervy moments but never really threatened, giving Ten Hag a much-needed win ahead of the international break. He is now the most successful Man Utd manager after 50 league games.
Ten Hag felt his side should have been more ruthless against Luton but backed his forward players to rediscover their scoring form after the international break.
"We had to score earlier and also then the second," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "In two halves we created seven or eight chances but we only scored one goal. Until the end you have to fight and battle and not concede a goal.
"A team can always make from one moment one goal - it wouldn't have been deserved by Luton. They worked hard but we controlled and dictated the game.
"Until the end you have to fight and battle and not concede a goal."
Asked about the lack of goals from his forwards, he added: "We created good chances - that is very good.
"In the Champions League, Hojlund has already scored five goals so I'm sure he will also do it in the Premier League.
"Marcus Rashford, we know he will always score. He is in a moment where he doesn't score but it will come. As long as we create the chances it will come. I am confident about that."
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp says Manchester United's misfiring forwards will come back to bite Ten Hag if they don't improve their goalscoring form.
"You'd have never guessed they're the Premier League's in-form team," he said on Saturday Night Football.
"It's like a soap opera there. Every single week, there's an issue on or off the field. It doesn't feel like they're in good form, and the Champions League result was a bad one for them. You've got to build back slowly.
"Erik ten Hag has been under a lot of pressure and his side have not been playing well. [Rasmus] Hojlund just can't seem to get that break in the Premier League like he has in the Champions League.
"If you're going to win titles, you need goals from your forwards. If you look at Erling Haaland at Manchester City, strikers need to be feared but I do see a player in Hojlund. I like his movement and he was unlucky not to score against Luton. It came off his knee or his hip.
"He tried to react and improvise. It just hasn't happened for him but when he gets one, he'll get two, three and it will start to come.
"He's got pace and he doesn't look fazed by playing for Manchester United. He just needs that little bit of luck in the Premier League."
Rob Edwards, the Luton boss, was proud of the progress his side showed at Old Trafford.
"Disappointed we have not got anything from the game," he said.
"It was pleasing to get in at half-time 0-0. They had clearly dominated possession, we had a couple of hairy moments, we had one really good moment ourselves with Carlton's header and a few set-pieces. It was just key to be in the game.
"I was delighted with how the players played. We were brave with the ball. We have almost taken half the ball here at Old Trafford, which for us, it shows we are really growing and improving as a football club.
"It was just harder for us in the second half to break them down and find a way to create a big chance."
After the international break, Manchester United return with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday November 26, live on Super Sunday on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, Luton are back in action on Saturday November 25. they host Crystal Palace at Kenilworth Road; kick-off 3pm.
