Manchester United produced another unconvincing performance to squeeze past Luton Town with the only goal of the game in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Victor Lindelof’s 59th-minute strike separated the sides and sealed United’s fourth win from their last five Premier League matches.
Despite an injury crisis, elimination from the Carabao Cup and their Champions League campaign looking precarious, the Red Devils’ league form is just about keeping the questions surrounding manager Erik ten Hag’s future at bay.
United were dominant and enjoyed the majority of possession for large parts of the match – but in familiar fashion, they rarely tested visiting goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
One clear aspect of Ten Hag’s approach to the contest with the Championship playoff winners was the Dutchman’s desire for his players to be more direct.
United responding by delivering more than 30 crosses, with midfielder Scott McTominay at times playing in attack alongside striker Rasmus Hojlund, providing greater aerial threat in the box.
For all United’s lack of clinical edge, their greatest worry could be Hojlund’s fitness concern. The joint-Champions League top scorer appeared to be struggling with a hamstring injury when he was replaced by Anthony Martial after 79 minutes, heading straight down the tunnel.
Denmark international Hojlund, who was denied by Kaminski from close range after 10 minutes, could miss matches during the international break, but his club side – sixth after beating Town – will hope he does not miss their trip to Everton in the Premier League on November 26.
Luton finished the game fourth from bottom and outside of the relegation zone on goal difference. The Hatters host Crystal Palace on November 25.
Man United vs Luton Town result, final score
| Final score | |
| Man United | 1 |
| Luton Town | 0 |
Goal: Victor Lindelof 59′
Man United vs Luton Town live updates, highlights from Premier League match
Fulltime: That’s it! Despite a late few attempts by the visitors, United hang onto a very important three points. They make it four wins from their last five league appearances as we head into the international break.
94th minute: Fernandes’ free-kick from the edge of the box is blasted wide.
91st minute: There have been eight minutes added on by the fourth official.
81st minute: McTominay again leaps highest to a lofted cross from Fernandes and forces Kaminski into a good save.
78th minute: Hojlund is struggling with an injury and has to come off. Martial takes his place.
76th minute: With a little under 15 minutes to play, excluding added time, Luton’s belief is growing.
70th minute: Antony, who has just come on for Garnacho, finds Rashford in a superb position but the Englishman’s strike is right down Kaminski’s throat.
66th minute: For all the defending Luton have had to do, they’ve still looked dangerous on the counter and you feel that is going to be their best opportunity at pulling level.
59th minute: United finally have the breakthrough! Lindelof smashes the ball home as it falls to him kindly in the box.
49th minute: Hojlund should be scoring, he’s unmarked in the box and tries to glance a header to the far corner but it’s wide of the target.
46th minute: We’re back underway for the second half!
Half-time: It’s another frustrating first half at Old Trafford for United as they’ve been dominant but cannot find the goal. A big second half to come for Ten Hag’s men.
41st minute: How have United not scored?! Hojlund picks out Garnacho in behind who can’t quite the ball out of his feet and is soon tackled by Kabore. The winger wanted far too much time on the ball.
39th minute: Eriksen is forced off through injury, granting a wonderful opportunity for Mason Mount to stamp his authority on this toothless United midfield.
36th minute: Onana makes a huge save to deny Luton the lead! It’s come from nowhere as the Hatters find some joy down the right. The ball is whipped in by Kabore and Morris forces Onana into a fantastic diving save.
28th minute: Luton are beginning to frustrate the home side here as McTominay and Maguire just had a mini argument. Ten Hag has some thinking to do.
🗣️#MUFC || #MUNLUT pic.twitter.com/XLhiqBtTdN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 11, 2023
24th minute: It’s been a dominant opening to the game for United, as expected. Fernandes is the latest to try his luck but he’s leaning back and the ball balloons over the bar… once again.
20th minute: Garnacho picks the ball up down the left flank and goes on another direct run. He cuts onto his left but again can’t find the target.
16th minute: United certainly appear as though they’re trying to be more direct than in previous matches. It’s another cross from the right, this time from Dalot, and McTominay gets his head to it but can’t keep his effort below the bar.
10th minute: Huge chance for United! Rashford drills in a ball from the right for Hojlund but he knees the ball and Kaminski makes a save from point-blank range. The Danish striker is still in search of his first league goal for the Red Devils.
7th minute: Lindelof tries to find McTominay with a deep ball but it drops to Rashford who wildly blasts an effort over the bar.
5th minute: Maguire is penalised for a challenge in Luton’s box, however, he believes there was a handball as the ball came in. VAR takes a brief look before waving play on.
1st minute: Bruno Fernandes gets the game underway and some United fans have unveiled a banner that reads “play like you mean it”.
5 minutes until kickoff: The players are out on the pitch and kickoff is next!
15 minutes until kickoff: Marcus Rashford is making his 250th Premier League appearance for Man United this afternoon, he’ll be desperate to mark it with a goal.
30 minutes until kickoff: United fans continue their protests against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. It is widely reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake is close to being agreed – read more here.
Anti-Glazer protests outside Old Trafford ahead of Man United v Luton. pic.twitter.com/slTMtDA0Ix
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) November 11, 2023
1 hour until kickoff: We have team news! Just the two changes for United from their defeat to Copenhagen. Sergio Reguilon and Victor Lindelof come in for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jonny Evans. For the visitors, Teden Mengi starts but Tahith Chong is on the bench.
Erik’s Reds for #MUNLUT! 🔴✔️#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 11, 2023
1 hour 30 mins until kickoff: Rasmus Hojlund became the quickest-ever Manchester United player to score five Champions League goals but is yet to score his first Premier League goal, can today be the day?
2 hours until kickoff: The 1958 protest against the Glazer family is underway outside Old Trafford. It’s the first protest since the passing of United legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
PROTEST ANNOUNCEMENT
SATURDAY 2PM
NORTH WEST QUADRANT
A show of defiance against the systematic sanitation of the match going fanbase.
Glazers are consumed by GREED!
THEY DO NOT WANT US.
See you there.
The 1958🇾🇪#GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/nSkWatZtNa
— The 1958 (@The__1958) November 9, 2023
Man United vs Luton Town lineups
For United, the injury problems continue as Jonny Evans has been ruled out against Luton. “We don’t have in this moment a full assessment done, we don’t have the full details so far. For tomorrow, he’s out,” Ten Hag told the press on Friday afternoon.
Marcus Rashford was sent off in the Champions League but he is available for selection and Ten Hag is backing the Englishman to refind his form from last season. Teenager Kobbie Mainoo is back in the matchday squad after four months out with injury.
Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Reguilon — Eriksen, McTominay — Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford — Hojlund.
Man United subs (12): Bayindir, Varane, Mejbri, Amrabat, Mount, Mainoo, Pellistri, Antony, Martial.
Luton manager Rob Edwards is hoping he can build on the confidence gained from their 1-1 draw with Liverpool last week. The man who scored Luton’s go-ahead goal was Tahith Chong, a former Man United player, and he’s on the bench.
Luton Town starting lineup (3-4-2-1): Kaminski (GK) — Mengi, Lockyer, Osho — Kabore, Nakamba, Barkley, Doughty — Townsend, Ogbene — Morris.
Luton Town subs (12): Krul, Berry, Adebayo, Chong, Ruddock Mpanzu, Clark, Brown, Giles, Neson.
MORE: When could Casemiro return for Man United?
Man United vs Luton Town live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | USA Network, Universo | Fubo, Peacock, NBC Sports, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | Fubo |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | Hotstar VIP, JioTV |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 3 | Sky Sport NOW |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport 3 | Astro Go, sooka |
| Singapore | 224 Hub Premier 4 | StarHub TV+ |
| Hong Kong | Now Premier League TV (620), Now Premier League 1 (621) | Now E, Now Player |
USA: Man United vs Luton Town from Old Trafford will be televised in the United States on USA Network, with a Spanish-language broadcast via Universo. Both channels are available to stream on Fubo.
UK: Saturday’s match will not be broadcast live in the UK, as it falls under the 3 p.m. window. Fans can follow updates via BBC Radio 5 Live.
Canada: Premier League matches can be seen in Canada all season long on Fubo, the nation’s leading streaming service for world-class soccer.
Australia: Australia’s sole broadcaster for the Premier League is Optus Sport, who recently signed a new deal to telecast the product Down Under for the next six seasons until 2028.
