18 February 2024 , 19:19
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The huge price tag no longer looks like such a huge weight on his shoulders.
In fact, Rasmus Hojlund is showing exactly why Manchester United were ready to pay £73million for him last summer. It was Hojlund who scored twice, securing the win which pushes United closer to the Champions League places and will have Aston Villa and Tottenham looking nervously over their shoulders.
Denmark striker Hojlund took 14 Premier League games to find the net and now he cannot stop scoring as he became the youngest player to score in six consecutive top flight games. Hojlund, just 21 years and 14 days, beat Joe Willock’s record which was 21 years and 272 days while even Erling Haaland was a whole year older.
After all the debates and question marks, Hojlund looks like a proper striker full of goals, power and pace to cope with the demands of English football. Incredibly, Hojlund’s two goals came within the first seven minutes and, in typical United fashion, they made it hard for themselves before eventually clinging on for all three points.
This was a fourth straight win to push them up the table and suddenly United are fashionable enough again to even make pop star Harry Styles come to Kenilworth Road. Hojlund was terrific, Alejandro Garnacho looks straight out of a boy band himself while teenager Kobbie Mainoo’s progress is just frightening.
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If only Erik ten Hag could be so sure about his defence because Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire both went off injured while Brazil star Casemiro had to be substituted at half time to stop him from being sent off. United finished the game patched up, cursing bad luck with injuries again and yet they could have won more comfortably had their finishing been better.
However, Luton were in the contest right until the end as Rob Edwards’ men have been one of the best stories of this Premier League season. After two sloppy goals conceded, they roared back and, even in the 94th minute, Ross Barkley’s back header from a corner nearly snatched a late leveller.
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Rasmus Hojlund spearheaded Manchester United's 2-1 win (Manchester United via Getty Imag)Overall, United probably deserved it but that should not detract from Luton’s battling performance which was led by Barkley’s midfield masterclass and on-loan Albert Sambi Lokonga also showing huge promise. We did not have to wait long for the drama either. Just 37 seconds. Luton defender Amari’i Bell’s horrible misplaced pass was an open invitation for Hojlund rounded keeper Thomas Kaminski and then slotted into the net.
And it quickly got even better for United with another record as the second inside seven minutes was the fastest they have been 2-0 up in an away match in the Premier League era. This time, United’s corner was only half cleared as far as Garnacho whose fierce volley was going wide but Hojlund showed a goal scorer’s instinct as he quickly improvised to very deliberately deflect the ball into the net off his chest.
That could have been curtains for Luton. But they simply refuse to give up. Ex-United trainee Tahith Chong’s shot was deflected up into the air, Clinton Morris raced in and headed past keeper Andre Onana to give the home fans hope. It was game on again after just 14 minutes.
Maguire struggled with a knock and wounded pride. Shaw got injured and Sky had a show reel of Casemiro fouls which proved he was lucky only to get booked once. United had to patch up their defence but they had big chances to score a third only for Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho to waste openings.
Luton never stopped battling and, right at the end, United were hanging on. It must drive ten Hag mad that his team lose control. Barkley went so close but United deserved to hang on.