Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they welcome Luton Town to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The dreaded international break is a few days away, with clubs set to go into hibernation mode for nearly two weeks. The Premier League will feature Gameweek 12 of the 2023/24 season before the fortnight-long interruption. And Manchester United will be eager to create momentum before returning to action later this month when they host Luton Town at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Manchester United have endured a disastrous campaign thus far in the 2023/24. Fans would have hoped for a possible Premier League title charge after finishing third last season. But the Red Devils have lost more games (9) than they have won (8) thus far, with the latest coming against FC Copenhagen this week. So, the pressure is ramping up on Erik ten Hag as we approach the latest international break.
On the other hand, Luton Town could have only hoped to have been outside the relegation zone in this phase, being the smallest club in the Premier League. The Hatters have not set the stage alight but have produced a few dogged displays to rise to 17th on the table after the first 11 rounds of fixtures. But teams above them are starting to pull away, meaning Rob Edwards and his charges need to step up.
Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 win the last time they clashed with Luton Town, in the EFL Cup third round three years ago. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
🚨🚨| Jonny Evans is unavailable to face Luton tomorrow after picking up an injury against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/NoUzGulvkq
— centredevils. (@centredevils) November 10, 2023
Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Luton Town on Saturday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of seven first-team players.
Jonny Evans is the latest absentee, with the veteran defender picking up an injury earlier this week against FC Copenhagen. Evans has joined Lisandro Martinez (foot), Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Casemiro (hamstring) in the treatment room.
Amad Diallo is inching closer to his return after resuming light work in Carrington. But the game against Luton Town has come too soon for the Ivory Coast international. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho’s exile is nowhere near ending anytime soon.
Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. The defensive unit that ended the game against FC Copenhagen should remain unchanged, with Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire forming the central defensive pairing. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot will be the two full-backs.
As for the midfield unit, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen will retain their partnership in the double pivot. The duo will put in the hard yards and provide the creative impetus from the centre of the pitch.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes will continue reprising the no. 10 role, getting a free role in the final third. As for the offensive department, Marcus Rashford looked good on the right flank and should remain in the position, with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund completing the numbers in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen; Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Luton Town
Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Rob Edwards does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Luton Town manager will be without seven first-team players on Saturday.
Mads Andersen (thigh), Reece Burke (hamstring), Albert Sambi Lokonga (all thigh), Daniel Potts (ankle), Cauley Woodrow (calf), and Jordan Clark (ankle) remain on the sidelines. But Amari’i Bell might be available if he recovers sufficiently from a thigh problem in time for Saturday’s game.
This weekend’s game might come too soon for Bell, meaning Teden Mengi, Tom Lockyer, and Gabriel Osho will form the central defensive unit. Meanwhile, Luton Town will line up in a 3-5-2 formation in front of goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, with Issa Kabore and Alfie Doughty being the two wing-backs.
The boss on United. 👊 pic.twitter.com/SRzozWdMvy
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) November 10, 2023
The duo will remain compact during the defensive phases, creating a back five to frustrate the Manchester United attackers. But they will also have the freedom to express themselves when the visitors embark on counter-attacking moves.
As for the midfield unit, Ross Barkley, Marvelous Nakamba, and Tahith Chong will create a well-rounded trifecta. While Nakamba will hold the fort in front of the defenders, he will receive defensive support from Barkley and Chong.
But Barkley and Chong will primarily look to initiate quick transitions, with the latter looking in good touch after scoring against Liverpool last weekend. Finally, Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris should be the two strikers for Luton against Manchester United.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Kaminski; Mengi, Lockyer, Osho, Kabore, Barkley, Nakamba, Chong, Doughty; Adebayo, Morris
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won 18 consecutive home games against Luton, dating back to 1899.
- Manchester United have lost nine of their 17 games this season, winning the other eight. The Red Devils have suffered five defeats in ten home fixtures this term, their worst start to a campaign at Old Trafford since 1930/31 when they also lost five of 10 and were relegated from the top flight.
- Luton Town have made their joint-worst start to a league campaign, equalling their previous record of one win, three draws and seven defeats after 11 games, first set in 1950/51 and repeated in 1962/63. The Hatters are yet to keep a clean sheet in 11 Premier League matches, conceding 21 goals.
- Luton Town have scored seven goals in the final 15 minutes of top-flight games this season, behind only Arsenal and Liverpool with eight apiece.
- Manchester United have led for just 98 minutes in the Premier League this season. Only Sheffield United and Luton Town have fared worse.
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford
A momentous occasion is on the cards for Marcus Rashford. The English international is set to become the youngest player to make 250 Premier League appearances for Manchester United at the age of 26 and 11 days, beating Ryan Giggs’s club record by 156 days.
But he comes into Saturday’s fixture after a contentious red card that made little sense. So, he will be eager to bounce back from the forgettable midweek outing and mark his 250th Premier League game with a match-winning display. Expect the 26-year-old to deliver the goods and kick-start a positive run of form.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Luton Town
Manchester United have been dreadful at home this season, losing half of their outings at Old Trafford thus far. So, Luton Town might feel they have a chance of springing a surprise on the home side this weekend.
Considering Manchester United’s defensive frailties, it will not be surprising if the visitors find their way past Andre Onana. But that might only be a consolation goal, with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes delivering the three points to the Red Devils. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Erik ten Hag and his charges.
