Manchester United moved closer to the top four with a 2-1 victory over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday, thanks to two early goals from Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund strikes twice in seven minutes
The Danish striker, who has been in superb form lately, scored his first goal after just 37 seconds, capitalizing on a poor back pass from Amari’i Bell and rounding the keeper Thomas Kaminski to slot the ball into an empty net. He then doubled his tally in the seventh minute, diverting a volley from Alejandro Garnacho with his chest past the helpless Kaminski.
Hojlund has now scored in six consecutive Premier League games, becoming the youngest player in the history of the competition to do so. He has 15 goals in 25 league appearances this season, making him the second-highest scorer behind Harry Kane.
Luton fight back but fall short
Luton, who are fighting to avoid relegation, did not give up after the early setback and pulled one back in the 14th minute, when Carlton Morris bravely headed in a cross from Tahith Chong, who is on loan from United. Morris beat Andre Onana to the ball and suffered a cut on his head in the process.
The hosts had several chances to equalize before halftime, with Morris and Alfie Doughty both shooting narrowly wide. They also had more possession and corner kicks than United, who looked shaky at the back.
Key statistics
| Team | Luton Town | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow cards | 3 | 5 |
| Corner kicks | 8 | 6 |
| Total shots | 21 | 18 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 10 |
| Shots off target | 10 | 3 |
| Shots blocked | 8 | 5 |
| Ball possession (%) | 57 | 43 |
| Free kicks | 22 | 11 |
| Offsides | 4 | 1 |
| Goal kicks | 4 | 12 |
| Throw-ins | 12 | 10 |
| Shots saved | 8 | 2 |
| Fouls | 7 | 21 |
| Injuries | 0 | 0 |
| Goals conceded | 2 | 1 |
| Goals scored | 1 | 2 |
United waste chances to seal the game
United made two changes at halftime, with Casemiro and Harry Maguire being replaced by Fred and Victor Lindelof. The visitors had more control in the second half and created several clear-cut opportunities to extend their lead, but failed to take them.
Marcus Rashford went close with a curling shot that Kaminski tipped over the bar, while Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho both missed one-on-one chances with the keeper. Fernandes also hit the post with a free kick in the dying minutes.
Barkley almost snatches a point for Luton
Luton did not give up and kept pushing for an equalizer, with Ross Barkley being their most dangerous player. The midfielder, who is on loan from Chelsea, had a shot saved by Onana and then hit the crossbar with a header in stoppage time.
However, United held on to secure their fourth consecutive league win, which moved them to sixth place with 44 points, three behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Luton remained in 17th place with 24 points, four above the relegation zone.
