In pictures: Manchester United V Luton Town
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has singled out Rasmus Hojlund after the striker’s woes in front of goal continued in their 1-0 win over Luton Town. The £72million summer signing is still yet to open his account in the Premier League and wasted two good chances at Old Trafford before he was forced off with injury, with Ten Hag giving his assessment of the striker after the match.
Ten Hag handed Hojlund the opportunity to end his dismal run against Luton with a start ahead of Anthony Martial and there was optimism he could find the net against the Premier League new boys. But the towering striker’s woes only continued at Old Trafford as he blanked again before coming off with an injury.
Hojlund was given a golden chance to put United ahead in the first half when Diogo Dalot’s deflected cross looped into his path, but somehow he failed to beat Thomas Kaminski from point-blank range.
And in the second half, he glanced wide from six yards out after as another gilt-edged chance went begging. It was only when Victor Lindelof showed his composure in the box to thunder home a close-range strike that the hosts took the lead to seal a vital win in front of their fans, but the result could – and should – have been more comfortable.
In his post-match interview, Ten Hag underlined his concerns about their profligacy in front of goal, especially after Hojlund’s misses, but backed the youngster to find his feet in the Premier League.
“It is a good day. We needed the win and we got it but we could make life more easy by scoring early on and getting a second,” the Dutchman told BBC Match of the Day.
“We created the chances but we didn’t score apart from one. I am happy with that and I am happy with the clean sheet. We had many chances before half time and you should net one of them. After half time, get the second and then the game is gone. Now you keep them alive and they can get an equaliser from balls dropping in the wrong place.”
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He added: “Rasmus Hojlund has scored five times in the Champions League. He has the confidence and the goals will come.
“It would be better for composure, for the calmness, for the manager, the coaches and the team if we score early on, but if you don’t you have to keep going. I have to compliment the team that they kept going, kept organised and didn’t give anything away.
The 20-year-old is yet to score in eight Premier League appearances after his big-money switch from Atalanta this summer. He has found the Champions League to be a much happier hunting ground, though, bagging five goals in four games for the Red Devils.
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