Erik ten Hag calls out Man Utd trio as ex-England stars agree on Kobbie Mainoo
Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United players ended the weekend celebrating an important victory at Luton after holding off a fightback from Rob Edwards' team.
Rasmus Hojlund scored two early goals, only for Carlton Morris to keep the Hatters within reach. United missed chances to extend their lead, with Ten Hag worried by his side's fragility, but the Hojlund brace proved to be enough as the home side failed to find a leveller.
There was also controversy around Casemiro, who some felt was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a foul on Luton's Ross Barkley. United ended the day with all three points, though, and have Champions League football in their sights after watching those above them stutter in recent weeks.
United have the best part of a week before they return to action against Fulham, but there's plenty to pore over from Sunday's action. Here are the latest lines from around Old Trafford.
Ten Hag calls out trio
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wasn't fully satisfied after his team's victory at Luton. He recognised his players had been wasteful in front of goal, with stars going clean through on more than one occasion without finding the back of Thomas Kaminski's net.
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"We had good chances with Garnacho and Rashford, it could have been three or four-nil,” Ten Hag told Match of the Day. "After that we lose some focus and we are not so strict in what we should do and they came more in the game. We dropped too deep and allowed them too many passes.
"We gave some chances away and they got the 2-1. That's no good. But after half-time we picked it up. We had several chances. So many chances one against one. I think it was Garnacho, Rashford again, it was Bruno Fernandes. We had so many chances, it should be 3-1 in these moments.”
Casemiro decision up for debate
Were you impressed by Manchester United in their win at Luton? Have your say in the comments section
Casemiro escaped a second yellow card after leaving Ross Barkley on the ground (AFP via Getty Images)Luton manager Rob Edwards believes Casemiro was lucky to stay on the pitch on Sunday. The Brazilian was already on a yellow when he lunged in on Barkley, with referee David Coote deeming the challenge worthy of a free-kick but not a booking.
"I think the fact that he came off at half-time maybe tells you a little bit of that story," Edwards told beIN Sports. "So, yeah, I think maybe he got away with one there."
United boss Erik ten Hag admitted he was worried about the midfielder when opting to withdraw him and team-mate Harry Maguire at the break. "I think the game was going in that direction – there was a lot of pressure on the referee – they were both at risk for another booking," he said.
Mainoo consensus reached
Former England strikers Gary Lineker and Ian Wright are among the growing number of people backing Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo for a senior England call-up. The teenager is expected to move up to the under-21 squad for the upcoming international break, but the two pundits feel he should be aiming higher amid impressive form for United.
"Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad," Wright wrote on social media on Sunday. "Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we've not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him."
Shearer's response was a straightforward one. "Agreed. What a fabulous young player," the former Newcastle United star said in reply to Wright.
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