Manchester United vs Luton Town

February 18, 2024

Manchester United travel to face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Red Devils earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Luton Town at Old Trafford in November in the sides' first top-flight meeting in over three decades.

Luton Town held United to a 1-1 draw in their previous league meeting (April 1992), when Lee Sharpe opened the scoring for the Red Devils, but Mick Harford's second-half goal rescued a point for the Hatters.

It was a campaign that saw Manchester United collapsing after that draw as they lost three in a row to eventually finish second, four points behind Leeds United, while Luton Town were 20^th and they relegated.

Luton Town Betting Preview (+333 at Everygame)

The Hatters resume their Premier League survival fight when they host Manchester United on Sunday. Indeed, survival remains in Luton's hands as the Bedfordshire outfit occupy 17^th place in the standings with a one-point advantage over Everton in 18^th, who have played a game more.

Rob Edwards' Hatters will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Sheffield United last time out. It ended Luton Town's six-game unbeaten run in all competitions (three wins and three draws), including a massive 4-0 home win over Brighton in the Premier League as well as FA Cup wins at Bolton Wanderers and Everton last month.

Prior to their defeat to Sheffield United, Rob Edwards' side had not lost a single home match by more than one goal this term, only suffering narrow defeats to Spurs, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, while stealing a point off current leaders Liverpool.

All in all, Luton Town have scored in all but one of their 12 Premier League home matches (3-2-7 record) this season. They have scored in their last eight top-flight games at Kenilworth Road - since a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in October - and will be looking to beat the odds when they welcome Champions League hopefuls Manchester United this weekend.

Elijah Adebayo, who recently became the first Luton Town player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League (when he did so in the victory over Brighton last month), should lead the line for the Hatters, with Carlton Morris and Andros Townsend both attacking from second position.

Tahith Chong, who scored in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool earlier this season, is another option to start against his former club.

Captain Tom Lockyer as well as the likes of Mads Juel Andersen and

and Marvelous Nakamba are all absent for the Hatters.

Manchester United Betting Preview (-143 at Everygame)

The Red Devils sit 6^th in the top flight, five points behind the top five, ahead of the upcoming clash with fourth-from-bottom Luton Town.

United's Champions League charge gathered momentum with a 2-1 victory against fellow top-four hopefuls Aston Villa last weekend. The success at Villa Park moved them to within six points of the top four, but that gap increased to eight following Aston Villa's 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

Yet, Tottenham lost 2-1 to Wolves at the same time, so the Red Devils could find themselves just three points behind the North London outfit in fifth place should they take the three points at Kenilworth Road.

Scott McTominay was the hero once again as the Scottish international's header secured a precious 2-1 win at Villa Park last weekend. It was McTominay's seventh league goal of the season and he remains United's top goalscorer this term, which highlights their attacking struggles throughout the campaign.

Finishing inside the Champions League spots must be a bare-minimum requirement for any Manchester United manager and Erik ten Hag doesn't have another option if he wants to convince the new stakeholders that he's the right man for the job.

The Red Devils decided to keep faith in Ten Hag despite the Dutchman overseeing the worst start to a season in the club’s history for over six decades. Still, the glorious club has performed well and things have been heading in an upwards trajectory for them in recent times.

A six-game unbeaten run in all competitions has steered the club into sixth place, with some six points from Tottenham in fifth place, and United are also set to play Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round later this month.

Meanwhile, The Red Devils are anticipating some key changes in the background with the arrival of INEOS Group as their new stakeholder. The Group, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will take control of football operations, as they plan on installing current Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth as the new football director at the club.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority stake has already received regulatory approval from the Premier League and the Football Association.

Victor Lindelof, who scored the winner against Luton Town earlier this season, might have to settle for a place on the bench, with Erik ten Hag expected not to shuffle his starting centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane.

However, the Manchester United boss could be forced to do so as the club is sweating over the fitness of Luke Shaw ahead of Sunday’s trip to Luton. The England left-back was taken off during United’s victory at Aston Villa last time out and Ten Hag reiterated it was a "precaution", yet he also admitted he may miss the journey to Luton.

Thus, Lindelof could be the most reliable candidate to replace Shaw in the starting line-up if the Englishman is not fully fit to feature, after Aaron Wan-Bissaka was ruled out with a fresh injury.

Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez suffered another injury setback and will be sidelined for up to two months. Elsewhere, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount and Anthony Martial are also sidelined for the Red Devils.

Possible Starting Lineups of Luton Town and Manchester United

Luton Town: Thomas Kaminski - Amari'i Bell, Gabriel Osho, Teden Mengi - Alfie Doughty, Ross Barkley, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Chiedozie Ogbene - Carlton Morris, Andros Townsend - Elijah Adebayo. (3-4-2-1)

Manchester United: Andre Onana - Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw - Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro - Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford - Rasmus Hojlund. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

The Red Devils will be eyeing a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions when they face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday afternoon (local time).

After winning their last four matches away from Old Trafford, Manchester United could make it five in a row for the first time since October 2020. Moreover, Erik ten Hag's side head into this clash unbeaten from their last 14 Premier League games against newly-promoted sides (winning 13), which includes 11 victories in a row, three of which arrived this term.

With six goals in his last seven appearances, Rasmus Højlund has now scored in five successive matches in all competitions (four in the Premier League) and the Danish forward will be keen to add to his tally at Luton.

Spooky Express Free Play 1: Outcome And Both To Score - Manchester United and Yes +185 at Everygame for 4/10 Units

Spooky Express Free Play 2: Rasmus Hojlund - Anytime Goalscorer +145 at Everygame for 4/10 Units

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