Striker Rasmus Hojlund scored a double, but Man Utd only narrowly beat host Luton Town 2-1 in round 25 of the Premier League.
It looked like Man Utd would win the match easily when Hojlund scored twice in just seven minutes, but the visitors fell behind and conceded a goal. Luton put pressure on players like Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, who were booked repeatedly. After they were substituted, the visitors played better but wasted many chances to increase the gap. The "Red Devils" almost dropped points in the last minute when midfielder Ross Barkley headed against the crossbar.
Hojlund scores the second goal for Man Utd against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, Bedfordshire, round 25 of the Premier League on February 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters
It was only after the final whistle that victory was assured, and Höjlund was shouting in the technical area. Since scoring his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa on 26 December, the 21-year-old striker has scored in six consecutive games in the competition, becoming the youngest player in history to do so.
The game then spiralled out of control for the visitors, with players who had been booked shying away from their opponents. Luton pushed their line up high and put pressure on Man Utd, who could not keep the ball. The visitors were forced to play defensively against the newcomers, with only 42% possession in the match. However, Luton failed to capitalise on the opportunity to score more goals.
Man Utd were the better side in the second half, creating no less than three one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper, but Garnacho, defender Diogo Dalot and captain Bruno Fernandes all failed to capitalise. They all tried to dribble past the goalkeeper, but failed. Fernandes once got the ball past the goalkeeper but his shot was cleared by midfielder Sambi Lokonga before it went into the net.
Sambi (right) blocks Fernandes' shot. Photo: AP
This is a rare Premier League match where both teams have had more than 20 shots. Luton could have earned a point in the last minute, when midfielder Barkley headed the ball from a left corner, sending it towards the far corner but hitting the top of the crossbar. The former Chelsea midfielder held his head in regret, while coach Rob Edwards covered his face, eyes closed.
Coach Erik ten Hag breathed a sigh of relief afterwards, as Man Utd have won five consecutive matches, including a four-match streak in the Premier League. The visitors are only three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, and five points behind the Top 4. There are likely to be five Champions League spots in the Premier League next season, so the opportunity for the "Red Devils" will open up if they maintain their winning streak. But if they cannot improve their performance, they will face many difficulties when they host Fulham in round 26 on February 24.
Xuan Binh
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