Victor Lindelof scored the only goal of the match as Manchester United overcame Luton Town in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The Sweden international, who returned to the XI due to Jonny Evans’s injury, smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 59th minute, with his effort securing a 1-0 success for Erik ten Hag’s side in their final match ahead of the November international break.
The result has moved Man United into sixth position in the Premier League table, now just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, while Luton remain in 17th spot, boasting only six points from their first 12 games.
Marcus Rashford kept his spot despite his red card against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with the England international becoming the youngest player to reach 250 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils.
Man United came close to making the breakthrough in the 10th minute of the contest when Rashford’s cross from the right was deflected into Rasmus Hojlund, but the striker’s close-range effort, which came off his thigh, was somehow kept out by Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
Scott McTominay was next to try his luck, with the midfielder heading a cross from Diogo Dalot over the crossbar from inside the penalty box.
Alejandro Garnacho then fired one over the crossbar in the 20th minute after driving into the penalty box, with Man United making the early running at Old Trafford.
Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana’s first save came in the 22nd minute, and it was a comfortable one, with the Cameroonian keeping out Chiedozie Ogbene’s effort from distance.
Bruno Fernandes lifted another effort over the crossbar in the 24th minute, before Hojlund had a close-range effort blocked after managing to muscle his way into a shooting position.
Rashford then had a shot deflected wide of the Luton goal in the 31st minute, before Onana made a wonderful save down the other end to keep out a diving header from Carlton Morris.
Garnacho had a brilliant chance to send Man United ahead in the 41st minute after finding space inside the Luton box, but after rounding Kaminski, he was just crowded out by two Luton defenders.
Hojlund headed a Fernandes free kick just wide of the post in the 49th minute, before Sergio Reguilon struck past the target under pressure two minutes later, with the home side still firmly on the front foot.
Man United finally made the breakthrough in the 59th minute of the match, with Lindelof smashing the ball into the back of the net from a central area after Luton had failed to deal with the second phase of a corner.
Tahith Chong, who scored against Liverpool last weekend, was lively for Luton against his former club, having entered as a substitute, while Ross Barkley was also causing problems, with the midfielder firing over the crossbar in the 67th minute of the contest.
Rashford brought a smart save from Kaminski in the 70th minute, before Hojlund left the field holding his hamstring in the 78th minute, which will be a concern, with Anthony Martial entering as part of a double change alongside Raphael Varane, who is currently being heavily linked with an exit.
Luton defender Tom Lockyer just managed to turn a dangerous Fernandes cross over his own goal in the 80th minute, before Kaminski kept out a header from McTominay, with the home side threatening to score a second.
Dalot sent a powerful effort over the away side’s crossbar in the 88th minute, and it was still 1-0 to the home side heading into the eight minutes of additional time at Old Trafford.
Fernandes fired a late free kick over the crossbar after excellent work from Rashford, but Man United were not made to pay for failing to find a second, as Lindelof’s effort proved to be enough to secure all three points.
Man United will be back in action away to Everton on November 26, while Luton will be aiming to bounce back when they host Crystal Palace on November 25.
