On the back of a disappointing 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League in midweek, Manchester United welcome Luton Town to Old Trafford on Saturday in the Premier League.
The Red Devils failed to build on the narrow 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend, losing to FC Copenhagen in Demark with 10 men after Marcus Rashford was sent off in the 42nd minute following a VAR intervention. They started extremely well and raced to a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hojlund, but Rashford’s dismissal turned the game on its head.
Erik ten Hag will be hugely disappointed with the result as the defeat in Copenhagen left United rock-bottom in their Champions League group. The under-pressure Dutchman will want to sign off for the international break by beating Luton Town, who held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road last weekend. The Hatters are 17th, only above 18th-placed Bournemouth on goal difference, and will be looking to take advantage of United’s poor form and cause an upset at Old Trafford.
With both teams desperate for three points, here are the key battles that could define the outcome of this fixture.
#Rasmus Hojlund vs Luton Town centre-backs
Rasmus Hojlund scored a brace against his boyhood club FC Copenhagen on Wednesday in what is quickly becoming his favourite competition. The Dane has five goals in four Champions League appearances for Man United this season, and while he is yet to net a Premier League goal, one would back him to break his duck against a meek Luton Town on Saturday.
However, given Luton’s 3-4-2-1 shape, it will be difficult for Hojlund to find spaces behind their defence. Luton Town centre-backs—Teden Mengi, Tom Lockyer and Gabriel Osho—will look to keep things tight and compact, so the Man United striker has to work extremely hard to breach them and bag his maiden Premier League goal.
#Bruno Fernandes vs Marvelous Nakamba
Bruno Fernandes’ loss in form has been synonymous with Man United’s poor start to the season. The Portuguese was excellent last season, playing in a variety of roles across the midfield as well as operating on the right flank when asked by the manager. He may not have been at his best so far this season but the playmaker struck a stoppage-time winner at Fulham last weekend and also scored an emphatic penalty in the 4-3 Champions League defeat to FC Copenhagen.
This should give Fernandes some much-needed confidence heading into the game against Luton Town. The United skipper’s expertise on the ball will greatly trouble the Hatters on Saturday. This makes it difficult to monitor the Portugal international’s movements in the final third, and there’s definitely no doubt that Marvelous Nakamba will have his work cut out in this encounter.
Tenacious, dogged and a no-nonsense tackler, Nakamba gives balance to Luton’s side. The Zimbabwean is the initiator of their attacks from a deeper midfield role, while his ability to man-mark and close down his opponent is admirable. Hence, keeping Fernandes under tabs will be one of Nakamba’s priorities in this clash.
#Alfie Doughty vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka
In Luton’s 3-4-2-1 system, Alfie Doughty is expected to start as left wing-back against United. Pacey and athletic, the 23-year-old will look to bomb forward at every opportunity and try stretching the home side’s defence.
Expected to make his third consecutive start at right-back after recovering from injury, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has the qualities to nullify Doughty’s threat through good positioning and tenacious tackling. He is also composed on the ball and is therefore adequately equipped to deal with Luton’s overloads, although he will be severely tested by their left wing-back.
As Wan-Bissaka is strong defensively, Doughty has a tough job on his hands to create from the left flank, but he stands as good a chance as any wing-back and may even benefit from having his own supporting cast- namely in the form of Chiedozie Ogbene as a creative No.10.
If Doughty and Ogbene start combining well and find spaces, whoever starts on the right wing for the Red Devils will need to put in a defensive shift and track back diligently to help Wan-Bissaka.