Hojlund makes Premier League history as Man Utd hold off Luton
18th February 2024
Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games after netting twice.
![Rasmas Hojlund. PHOTO| AFP](https://www.sportpesanews.com/images/large/rasmas_hojlund__photo__afp_5e233e5872.jpg)
- Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games after netting twice in the first seven minutes at Kenilworth Road.
- At 21 years 14 days old, Hojlund surpassed Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock's previous record set when he was 21 years 272 days old.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in 10 successive United top-flight outings in 2003 before Leicester's Jamie Vardy beat his Premier League record with 11 in a row in 2015.
Rasmus Hojlund made Premier League history as the Manchester
United striker's double ensured his side survived a scare from lowly Luton in
their 1-2 win on Sunday.
Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six
consecutive Premier League games after netting twice in the first seven
minutes at Kenilworth Road.
At 21 years 14 days old, Hojlund surpassed Newcastle
midfielder Joe Willock's previous record set when he was 21 years 272 days old.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in 10 successive United
top-flight outings in 2003 before Leicester's Jamie Vardy beat his Premier League
record with 11 in a row in 2015.
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After failing to score in his first 14 Premier League
appearances following his August move from Atalanta, Hojlund has scored eight
times in his last eight games in all competitions.
Hojlund's brace should have put United in complete control,
but Luton fought back impressively as Carlton Morris quickly reduced the
deficit.
Erik ten Hag's side were under siege for spells and wasted
several chances to kill off fourth-bottom Luton in a tense finale.
Sixth-placed United's fourth consecutive league victory
moved them within five points of fourth placed Aston Villa in the race to
qualify for next season's Champions League.
For long periods during a difficult season, that target has
seemed beyond United, but Hojlund's prolific form has given them renewed hope.
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With just 37 seconds gone, Hojlund intercepted Amari'i
Bell's dreadful back pass, rounded keeper Thomas Kaminski and slotted into the
empty net.
United's fastest league goal this season was followed by
Hojlund's second in the seventh minute.
When Alejandro Garnacho smashed a volley towards goal from a
United corner, the strike hit Hojlund's chest and deflected into the net.
Kaminski saved well from Marcus Rashford, who curled
narrowly wide moments later as United looked set to run riot.
But Morris gave Luton an unexpected lifeline in the 14th
minute when the burly striker headed in from close range after Tahith Chong's
shot deflected into his path.
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8-point gap
Since their surprise promotion last year, Luton has proved
trickier-than-expected opponents for several of the Premier League's big guns.
They made life hard for United for the rest of the first
half, pinning the visitors back with an aggressive, high-tempo assault.
Gabriel Osho should have equalized, but the Luton defender
headed wide from a corner.
Morris went closer with a thunderous strike that whistled
just wide from the edge of the area after Garnacho carelessly lost possession.
Casemiro was fortunate to avoid a red card when the
already-booked United midfielder fouled Ross Barkley.
United left-back Luke Shaw was forced off just before the
break with his latest injury in a season marred by fitness issues.
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Luton wasted another chance to equalize as Alfie Doughty
swept wide from a good position.
Ten Hag replaced 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 pummeled United immediately after
the break, with Cauley Woodrow and Chong both threatening an equalizer.
Rashford, Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes all squandered good
opportunities to restore United's two-goal advantage.
Garnacho was especially culpable when he ran clean through
on goal but allowed Kaminski to get a touch on the ball as he tried to round
him.
The United winger still had a chance to score but delayed
too long and Bell was able to clear.
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Fernandes shook his head in disbelief at Garnacho's blunder
and the United midfielder's frustration was on display again when Kaminski
repelled his own free-kick.
Luton never gave up and Barkley was inches away from spoiling Hojlund's memorable day in stoppage-time when his header grazed the bar.