Manchester United plays host to modest Luton Town as overwhelming favourites against the newly promoted side, but can the Hatters pull off a miracle?
This represents a first-ever Premier League meeting between both clubs, with their most recent encounter being a 3-0 win for Man United in the 2020/21 EFL Cup.
Luton Town secured a way into the top flight via last season’s EFL Championship Playoff final. Although they are favourites to return to the second division, Rob Edwards’ side will look for inspired performances on occasions like this one at Old Trafford.
Man United lifted the 2023 League Cup for their first trophy win in six years as Erik ten Hag oversaw a change of attitude in his first season in charge. Nevertheless, things have turned sour this term, with the Red Devils boasting problems all over the park and failing to attain consistency.
Victories at home to Wolves and Nottingham Forest, alongside defeats at Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, were registered in their first four league games. That average start was then made to look worse in a 3-1 loss to Brighton for a third consecutive defeat to the Seagulls.
Manchester United were embarrassed on their opening UEFA Champions League night away at Bayern Munich, with the 4-3 scoreline failing to tell the story of the home side’s dominance. Nevertheless, a hard-fought win at Burnley and another 3-0 defeat of Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup offered false hope.
Joachim Andersen’s sweet volley handed the Eagles a 1-0 victory in the league only a few days later before Galatasaray also left Manchester with a 3-2 win. After clinching their worst record 10 games into a new season, the Red Devils were on the verge of another defeat against Bretford until a brace from Scott McTominay in added time completed a stunning fightback.
They will be desperate to build on the confidence from that feat as United enter a vital run of games. The Mancunians find themselves in tenth position after the first eight matches, but Luton should be timid visitors, having scored just six goals so far.
The Hatters have the odds stacked against them, but their heralded opponents will not faze them. Having dreamt and worked hard towards reaching this level for decades, they won’t be making any match an easy runout for the opposition.
Unsurprisingly, they made a rough start to life in the top flight as they endured heavy defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea before losing 2-1 to West Ham United in their first-ever Premier League game at Kenilworth Road.
They lost 1-0 at Fulham before gaining a first point in the campaign thanks to Carlton Morris’ penalty in front of their home fans against Wolves. Up next was their maiden win at Everton, with goals from captain Tom Lockyer and Morris writing their names into Luton history books.
Elijah Adebayo’s equalizer was not enough to secure a point against Burnley, as Jacob Bruun Larsen scored almost immediately after to register his team’s maiden campaign win. Another resilient home performance was not rewarded when 10-man Tottenham Hotspur got away with a lone-goal victory.
Luton is just above the relegation zone on goal difference but will seek the points to keep pushing them up. Any result at Old Trafford will be regarded as a massive bonus.
The Bedfordshire side looks compact and makes opponents work hard to beat them; for all they lack in pedigree and financial power, they make up for in desire. Considering the dwindling form of the Red Devils, particularly at the Theatre of Dreams, Luton will be entirely focused on putting in the performance that earns a result.
Match tickets
This compelling fixture takes place on Saturday, 11 November 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 4 PM UK time. There is a chance to experience proceedings live, as tickets can be sold on each club’s website.
Considering their shambolic form and the toxic mood around the club on and off the pitch, Manchester United vs Luton Town tickets should be readily available for any fans willing to attend. Hence, Luton fans can capitalize on the limited allocation for away fans, but supporters could still be lucky enough to find a seat on ticket resale sites.
Team news
Injuries have been behind the shortcomings of Ten Hag’s team this season as an awful list of absences includes Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho will be unavailable as he is still suspended from training with the first team.
Luton has also been hamstrung by fitness problems like Amari’i Bell, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Daniel Potts, Jordan Clark, Gabriel Osho and Mads Andersen.
Nonetheless, their manager will hope to have a couple of these names back before the United match.
Line-ups
The Red Devils are desperate to recover as many key players as quickly as possible to field their preferred team against the Hatters.
Left full-back Sergio Reguilon could be back fit, which frees up Sofyan Amrabat to be deployed in his preferred position in midfield. Yet, Mason Mount could be chosen ahead of the Moroccan because of his attacking instincts from the middle of the park.
Man United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Reguilon; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Rob Edwards should stick with the back-three system they have used for the majority of the season so far, and he will look to call upon his best legs. Marvelous Nakamba and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu have a big job on their hands in the engine room, as they are responsible for plugging gaps in front of their defence and making the best use of whatever little time they get on the ball.
Luton: Kaminski; Andersen, Lockyer, Burke; Doughty, Mpanzu, Nakamba, Kabore; Brown, Ogbene, Morris
Prediction
This fixture will be set up as an attack against a defence as Man Utd attempt to open up the visiting reason while Luton looks to sit back and soak the pressure in the hope that they can nick something from the game.
Unfortunately for Luton, the gulf in quality should be too much, as their hosts are desperate for points after their underwhelming results this season.
Man United 3-0 Luton Town