Soccer

Hojlund makes Premier League history as Man United hold off Luton

At 21 years 14 days outdated, Hojlund surpassed Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock’s earlier file.

Rasmus Hojlund made Premier League history as the Manchester United striker’s double ensured his aspect survived a scare from lowly Luton of their 2-1 win on Sunday.

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Hojlund turned the youngest participant to attain in six consecutive Premier League video games after netting twice within the first seven minutes at Kenilworth Road.

At 21 years 14 days outdated, Hojlund surpassed Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock’s earlier file set when he was 21 years 272 days outdated.

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in 10 successive United top-flight outings in 2003 earlier than Leicester’s Jamie Vardy beat his Premier league file with 11 in a row in 2015.

After failing to attain in his first 14 Premier League appearances following his August transfer from Atalanta, Hojlund has scored eight occasions in his final eight video games in all competitions.

His brace ought to have put United in full management, however Luton fought again impressively as Carlton Morris rapidly diminished the deficit.

Erik ten Hag’s aspect had been below seige for spells and wasted a number of possibilities to kill off fourth-bottom Luton in a tense finale.

Praising Hojlund’s mentality, Ten Hag mentioned: “We recruited him on his character, I knew it was robust.

“He can actually carry out below stress and that’s one thing you want from a Man United striker.

“He doesn’t get nervous or lose confidence. He has a lot of confidence and I’m sure he will score even more.”

Hojlund added: “I must say because of my teammates and the coach as a result of they’ve confirmed me nice confidence and stored believing in me.

“I knew as well that I could score goals but of course it was annoying I didn’t score in the Premier League.”

Sixth positioned United’s fourth consecutive league victory moved them inside 5 factors of fourth positioned Aston Villa within the race to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League.

For lengthy durations throughout a tough season, that concentrate on has appeared past United, however Hojlund’s prolific kind has given them renewed hope.

“We are back in the race and we are building momentum. We need to build pressure. Every game is a final to get closer,” Ten Hag mentioned.

With simply 37 seconds gone, Hojlund intercepted Amari’i Bell’s dreadful again cross, rounded keeper Thomas Kaminski and slotted into the empty web.

United’s quickest league purpose this season was adopted by Hojlund’s second within the seventh minute.

When Alejandro Garnacho smashed a volley in direction of purpose from a United nook, the strike hit Hojlund’s chest and deflected into the web.

– United hold on –

But Morris gave Luton an surprising lifeline within the 14th minute when the burly striker headed in from close-range after Tahith Chong’s shot deflected into his path.

Gabriel Osho ought to have equalised, however the Luton defender headed vast from a nook.

Morris went nearer with a thunderous strike that whistled simply vast from the sting of the realm after Garnacho carelessly misplaced possession.

United left-back Luke Shaw was compelled off simply earlier than the break together with his newest harm in a season marred by health points.

Luton wasted one other likelihood to equalise as Alfie Doughty swept vast from a great place.

Ten Hag changed Casemiro and Harry Maguire with Jonny Evans and Scott McTominay at half-time in a bid to stem Luton’s momentum.

Despite the change, Luton pummelled United instantly after the break, with Cauley Woodrow and Chong each threatening an equaliser.

Marcus Rashford, Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes all squandered good alternatives to revive United’s two-goal benefit.

Garnacho was particularly culpable when he ran clear by on purpose, however allowed Kaminski to get a contact on the ball as he tried to spherical him.

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The United winger nonetheless had an opportunity to attain however delayed too lengthy and Bell was in a position to clear.

Fernandes shook his head in disbelief at Garnacho’s blunder and the United midfielder’s frustration was on show once more when Kaminski repelled his personal free-kick.

Luton by no means gave up and Ross Barkley was inches away from spoiling Hojlund’s memorable day in stoppage-time when his header grazed the bar.


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