Red Devils win despite mixed display

Rasmus Hojlund's hot streak continued as Manchester United maintained their unbeaten start to 2024 with a 2-1 win at Luton Town on Sunday. 

After a lengthy wait to open his account in the English top flight, Danish striker Hojlund now has seven goals in his last six Premier League games and his quick-fire double ultimately put paid to the Hatters at Kenilworth Road. 

The Dane seized on a terrible back pass from Amari'i Bell to open the scoring after less than a minute and he then chested home a shot from Alejandro Garnacho to put United 2-0 up after seven minutes. 

Eric ten Hag's men had made the perfect start, but they were unable to build on it - and after 14 minutes the hosts gained a foothold in the contest when forward Carlton Morris nudged the ball past Andre Onana in the visitor's goal after Tahith Chong's shot had deflected kindly into his path. 

Luton certainly had their moments and made ten Hag's men work for their victory, but in truth United should have won by a wider margin.

After the break, Bruno Fernandes skipped past Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski only to see Sambi Lokonga make a superb last-ditch block and then Garnacho raced clear on goal only to be driven wide by Kaminski and then waste a glorious opportunity. 

United were very nearly made to pay for their profligacy, as Luton hit the woodwork in added time at the end of the game. Ross Barkley, who was again magnificent for the Hatters in midfield, flicked a header goalwards in the dying seconds, but - with Onana beaten - Barkley's effort flicked the top of the bar and went over. 

The victors remain sixth in the Premier League, three points shy of Spurs in fith and five off Aston Villa in fourth. Luton, meanwhile, are a point clear of the relegation zone, but could drop into the bottom three if Everton beat Crystal Palace tomorrow night.