Luton Town

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town ran another of the Premier League’s elite close but could not quite recover from an early self-inflicted wounds against Manchester United.

The Hatters have lost very narrowly to Arsenal and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road this season while Liverpool could only draw – evidence of the atmosphere and the effort of Rob Edwards’ team and how this unity is a galvanising force.

Once again, there was so much to admire but Luton were facing an uphill struggle from the moment Amari’I Bell gifted Rasmus Hojlund an opener after 37 seconds, the £72m Dane adding a second seven minutes later.

Carlton Morris’s 14th minute header gave them hope and Luton Town gave Manchester United some real moments of stress before going down 2-1.

There was still, however, plenty on show to give Edwards and Luton encouragement that they can still survive in the Premier League, showing great character and resilience despite those two early blows and the loss of influential Elijah Adebayo to injury in the warm-up.

Luton face another mammoth task against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. They will be huge underdogs for that one but there is still plenty of hope when a prognosis is given on their longer-term hopes of staying in the top flight.

Rob Edwards, spoke to Sky Sports after Luton's defeat to Manchester United: "We can't give Man United a two goal lead like that. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. Ultimately, 2-0 against a team like that is really difficult. No excuses. We play that way, we take the risk. We are going to make mistakes but it cost us today.

"It was a commitment to the gameplan, it didn't collapse. We had a lot of control but we were vulnerable to the counter attack. I was really pleased with how the players responded. We looked like a good team."

"We've lost the last two but we got points in the previous one. We're playing well, we're performing well. No one can argue against now. It doesn't get any easier now. We need to recover quickly and then we go away to Liverpool."

• Luton have scored at least once in each of their past 12 games in the Premier League – the longest run by a promoted team since Burnley between December 2016 and March 2017 (also 12). Indeed, among current Premier League sides, only Tottenham (37) are on a longer active scoring run.

• Only Manchester City and Arsenal (both 8) have won more Premier League away games than Manchester United (7) this season, with the Red Devils winning all three they’ve played on the road in 2024.

• Luton’s Carlton Morris has either scored or assisted in each of his past five appearances in the Premier League (four goals, two assists) – only Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka (x2), and Rasmus Hojlund have had longer runs this season (all six games).

• Rasmus Højlund scored Manchester United's earliest ever Premier League away goal (37 seconds), as well as giving them their fastest ever 2-0 lead in an away Premier League game (7th minute).

• Aged 21 years and 14 days, Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund became the youngest player ever to score in six successive Premier League appearances, surpassing Joe Willock's record (21y 272d).

Manchester United earned a vital win in their fight for European qualification thanks to Rasmus Hojlund's double in a fast start at Luton Town.

Hojlund steered the visitors ahead after only 37 seconds, doubling the lead six minutes later when he deflected in Alejandro Garnacho's shot.

Luton quickly improved and pulled a goal back through Carlton Morris' close-range header before dominating.

Ross Barkley's header hit the bar but United won to consolidate sixth place.

Erik ten Hag's side had chances to score a third goal as space opened up behind the Luton defence, but Garnacho wasted their best opportunity while Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski produced a string of fine saves.

Luton remain fourth from bottom, one point above the relegation zone, after their second consecutive defeat.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

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Follow all of the reaction here

There are two games being played in the Premier League on Sunday and we will bring you every moment.

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All times are GMT

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on rapper Songer, who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

This is big for Luton because I do not think anyone saw their defeat to bottom of the league Sheffield United coming.

With Everton losing to Manchester City earlier on Saturday, it was a big chance for them to open up a gap on the bottom three, but they could not take it.

I just wonder if that will trigger a little bit of doubt, but their performances at home have been been very good against the bigger teams and I have a feeling we will see more of the same on Sunday.

Manchester United only beat Luton narrowly at Old Trafford in November, and this time I expect it to be even closer.

Songer's prediction: 2-1

Manchester United are difficult to predict because they have been getting good results without always playing that well. I do not know if this is out of hope, but I am going to go with Luton here.

Read all of Sutton's predictions for this weekend's games

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's match against Manchester United on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On people calling the result against Sheffield United a "shock defeat": "It shows how far we have come, but it's done now. We know we're moving the right way and we know there will be some downs still."

• He added it has been "pretty easy to pick the group up" to face Manchester United.

• Teden Mengi is "fully fit" after picking up a slight knock to his ankle and will be available to face his old club: "He has been brilliant this year. For a young player to come in, move away from his boyhood club and make that brave decision, and then perform the way he has at the highest level - it's really astounding."

• Edwards went to watch Manchester United's 2-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend: "Both teams played very well and they did very well to come away from a difficult place with a win. They have strength in all areas of the pitch and there were some really good performances. They will be pleased with the state that they are in coming into this game."

• He is excited about facing United though and feels they can be effective against them: "Our long-term aim, as stupid as this may sound, is to try and be mixing it with those big teams. I think we've done well in certain areas but we know we've got to keep improving and working hard as well to keep the backdoor shut. If we play well then hopefully we can knock them off their rhythm and not allow them to play the game they want. If they are allowed to play the game they want, they will be too good for us. We've got to make sure we are at it and we compete."

• On using their home advantage against the top teams: "Kenilworth Road provides a unique experience for everyone. It's intense, it's tight, it's on top of you. It's different to anywhere else - there's no doubt about that."

Follow Friday's news conferences here

Listen to live commentary of Luton Town v Manchester United on BBC Radio 5 Live from 16:30 GMT on Sunday

On the latest episode of BBC Three Counties' Luton in the Prem podcast, Geoff Doyle and Simon Oxley look ahead to Sunday's Premier League match as Luton host Manchester United at Kenilworth Road.

Oxley spoke about Luton's upcoming three fixtures against 'big six' sides, stating: "It's a fantastic 10 days of football for Luton Town supporters. Manchester United at home on Sunday afternoon, TV cameras, live around the world, there will be media there from all across the globe and there will be global interest because it's Manchester United.

"Then Liverpool away, that's slightly more of an issue for Luton fans because it's been fairly short notice and it's not a weekend, it's a mid-week trip up to Anfield but the tickets have all gone.

"Then Man City in the FA Cup on the following Tuesday, so it's a fantastic but daunting set of fixtures and starting with United, whatever state they're in, whatever season it is, they're still one of the big draws. Massive, massive club and organisation being rebuilt.

"Luton have something to prove after the Sheffield United experience. Manchester United will come and play and that will give Luton the opportunity to get on the ball, really get forward and get at them. Against Sheffield United they were always running into yellow shirts everywhere."

Listen to Luton Town v Manchester United on BBC Three Counties Radio and online (UK only) via BBC Sounds

Here are the key facts and figures before Sunday's game between Luton Town and Manchester United in the Premier League.

• Luton have lost nine of their last 10 league games against Manchester United, with the exception being a 1-1 draw the last time they faced them at Kenilworth Road (April 1992).

• Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Luton in all competitions (W10 D2), since a 2-1 loss at Kenilworth Road in March 1987.

• Only Tottenham (36 games) are on a longer scoring run in Premier League matches among current teams than Luton Town (11 games). However, the Hatters have ended on the losing side in five of those games (W4 D2).

• Across their last seven Premier League matches, Luton are averaging 15.1 shots per game, in comparison to the 10.3 shots they had on average in their first 16 matches. The Hatters have also had 5.9 shots on target per game in those seven games, a big increase on the 2.6 per game they had in their first 16.

• Erik ten Hag has won all nine of his Premier League games against newly promoted clubs, the best 100% win ratio against those sides of any manager in Premier League history. The only two managers to win their first 10 games against promoted clubs in the competition are José Mourinho (first 15) and Roberto Mancini (first 12).

• Carlton Morris has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other Luton player this season (6 goals, 4 assists), with four of his goals coming via the penalty spot. He’s the first English player with four penalties in his debut Premier League campaign since Troy Deeney in 2015-16 (6).

• After failing to score in his first 14 Premier League appearances, Man Utd’s Rasmus Hojlund has scored one goal in each of his last five matches. A goal in this game would see him become the youngest ever player to score in six in a row, with Joe Willock the current youngest (21 years, 272 days).

• Scott McTominay’s seven Premier League goals this season for Manchester United have been worth 12 points to his side, the most of any player for any team this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League winner Cesc Fabregas says the "personality" Ross Barkley plays with is key to his importance to Luton's survival bid.

Fabregas played alongside Barkley for a season at Chelsea and believes the English midfielder has regained the confidence he lost after a difficult spell in his career.

"He's playing at a fantastic level," he told the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast. "I'm very happy for him because he lost his way a little bit. He lost his confidence and now he's back at it.

"He took maybe two steps backward to be able to perform again at the level that that he knows he can. You always need a player like this.

"And he's surrounded by good players but solid players defensively so he can also have this license to go forward as we see, even if he plays in a double pivot and needs to be a little bit more responsible than he used to be in his early days.

"But, they always saw Ross as a number eight, more box-to-box. It's true that now as a number six physically he's a machine.

"I think physically he's one of the best players, but the personality that he plays with I think is the standout for this Luton side.

"To play with players of this personality gives them this one or two seconds extra of possession on the ball that makes things happen, makes this team tick.

"They cannot be 90 minutes defending, especially against teams like Man United, Man City. You need to hold on to the ball a little bit to create something and to give air to your team-mates.

"He's the guy to do it and he's doing it very well.”

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio reporter

I had a feeling the match at home to Sheffield United was going to be a tricky one for Luton Town.

Earlier in the season, Burnley came to Kenilworth Road and, because they knew what to expect, it became a Championship-style type of affair with Vincent Kompany's side just about coming out on top.

Chris Wilder and his Blades team know all about the Hatters and the "Kenny" experience and were fully prepared. It was another tight game just like the Burnley one and unfortunately Rob Edwards' team came out on the wrong side.

It is Manchester United at home on Sunday and Luton will hope to put in as good a performance as they have done against other top-10 sides this season at home.

In each of the games against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, Newcastle and Chelsea, the head coaches have warned their players what to expect at Luton's tight, hostile ground. But I still think it has taken a lot of players by surprise and some of the superstars have not enjoyed the lack of time on the ball and that opportunity to showcase their talents.

Luton's game plan is not to allow them that chance and it upsets some of these top players whose performances are then underwhelming. Luton beat Brighton and Newcastle, and gave the other top teams mighty scares.

United beat Luton at Old Trafford in November but they might find it more difficult at Kenilworth Road's smaller pitch. And it could be the Hatters play better and pick up more points against the top-half teams in the Premier League rather than the bottom ones.

Listen to Luton Town v Manchester United on BBC Three Counties Radio and online (UK only) via BBC Sounds

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Back to Earth with a bump.

Congratulations to Sheffield United because they came to Kenilworth Road with a game plan and they executed it seamlessly.

After a week in which pundits and fans of Premier League football were simply purring about how good Luton Town are, and that we would be fine this season, it brings about the harsh realities of football - simply that football is not played on paper.

Against Sheffield United we were expected to win by the bookmakers - this goes to show that Luton Town Football Club thrives on being the underdog. As all Luton fans know, we have a siege mentality running through our club and we prefer it when people are slamming us rather than patting us on the back. We perform in spite of others, not to pander to them.

I drew parallels towards the spirit in the 1982-83 team in my previous article and it is important to remember, although they received praise for their swashbuckling football, that first season in the top tier had its ups and downs too.

A season is decided over 38 games. We are just past the halfway mark and the entire squad know what is on the line.

We draw a line under this game and focus on the next one.

Ollie Kay can be found at We Are Luton Town, external

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is happy to accept Luton winger Andros Townsend's riposte about his early-season predictions for the Hatters.

Townsend told The Monday Night Club their upturn in form is down to his side growing in confidence rather than any changes to the style of play.

Watch on iPlayer now

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Luton Town and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Luton fans

Sue: We are not going to win every game. There were some mistakes and tired legs after the last two games. Our position above the relegation zone is something we would have taken after the first three games. Let’s not forget there are a lot of games before we need to worry. We are staying up - you better believe it.

Paul: Sheffield United’s game plan worked well. United's Vini Souza bossed the midfield and won every header in his box. We had a lot of possession but we didn’t really look like scoring. We will be back. Come on you Hatters!

Jim: Ross Barkley is probably the most naturally talented football player to play for Luton Town. When you have supporters like the Hatters do, who appreciate him and take him to their hearts, I believe it brings out the best in him, especially when the last couple of years haven't been his best. He is up there with the best.

Blades fans

Green: A brilliant response from the thumping against Aston Villa. I thought James McAtee was brilliant and so was Cameron Archer up front. I still don’t think we will stay up this season, but we can certainly take a lot of positives from this performance.

John: Superb response to last week's game against Aston Villa, to be honest. We need to get a run going and take our chances, which we are creating and aren't that bad.

Alan: Vini Souza was the main difference between the two teams. He is a completely different player under Chris Wilder. We were excellent today.

Image source, Getty Images

Former players Alan Shearer and Martin Keown have criticised the use of the handball laws in Sheffield United's 3-1 win over Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

In his post-match interview, manager Rob Edwards said "I don't know what handball is anymore" after VAR awarded Sheffield United a penalty.

"I think it was actually the decision made by Paul Tierney, the VAR man in charge on the day. I just don't get this [first penalty call] to be honest," Keown explained on Match of the Day.

"Not a single player was complaining, saying it was a handball or whatever. It was completely out of kilter with the expectation of the players. How are you supposed to get out of the way of this? The proximity is just ridiculous.

"To say that's not a natural position to be in is ridiculous. Who are they asking, by the way? Your arm has to come up to rebalance, so that's ridiculous.

"The good thing was both of the penalty decisions were really poor, so maybe one cancelled the other out. He [referee Chris Kavanagh] was asked to look at it, by the way, and he still didn't change his mind."

All-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer branded the rule "an absolute joke" after Luton were also awarded a similar penalty: "If you think the first one [penalty call] is a bad one, have a look at the second one with [Vini] Souza. It's an absolute joke of a decision.

"I really think that he [Kavanagh] thinks VAR has given the first one so he's going to even it up for the second one. How on earth does he think that's a handball? It's a crazy decision.

"The handball law, as we know, is an absolute joke. You're hearing managers and players saying, 'we just don't know what handball is anymore' every single week.

"These are the same guys, IFAB, who are making the handball law and want to bring blue cards in for sin bins. Do me a favour man, honestly."

Watch the full Match of the Day episode on BBC iPlayer

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League matches.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Liverpool 3-1 Burnley

Nottingham Forest 2-3 Newcastle

Tom Gayle
Final Score reporter

I can't recall a recent weekend pass by where I haven't heard something along the lines of: "I’m just not sure what is handball these days".

Whether it be from fans, commentators like myself, or the array of former players working as media pundits.

Now, stick with me, the obvious starting point for this conversation is what do the laws actually say.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the self-proclaimed independent guardians of the rules of association football, state a handball offence is committed when a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm, or touches the ball with their hand or arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.

When I asked Rob Edwards for his thoughts on the two spot-kicks awarded in Sheffield United’s 3-1 victory he replied: "I don't think either were penalties but I don't know what is a handball anymore."

Now that’s some statement to come out of the mouth of a Premier League manager, working in what is regularly reported as the most-watched sports league in the world.

For me, education isn’t the issue here. I have no doubt Luton’s manager knows exactly what the law is. His bemusement is more down to how those written rules transfer to the real-time practical application made by both the on-field referee and the Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park.

Edwards later expanded on his frustration when speaking to the written press, stating: "Neither player is looking at the ball, both players have got to jump and have their hands up."

He also refused to blame referee Chris Kavanagh: "They [VAR] check everything so it's not the referee's fault. They get told to go and look at them and, once they go and look at them, you’ve got a chance of getting them, so it’s not his fault."

Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is a busy man. He’s made a conscious effort to regularly provide detailed, public explanations of crucial decisions.

If I could add to his workload, I would recommend a trip to Kenilworth Road given Edwards told me he has not received any contact from either Webb or the PGMOL to help further his understanding of just what handball is in the modern game.