Luton Town FC vs Manchester United (22nd Sep 2020)

Match Report | Luton Town 0-3 Manchester United

The Hatters' Carabao Cup journey comes to an end at the hands of United...

The Hatters bowed out of the Carabao Cup in the third round following a 3-0 loss against Premier League giants Manchester United at Kenilworth Road this evening.

Juan Mata’s penalty in the first-half was followed by two late goals from substitutes Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in the latter stages of the contest, which didn’t reflect the effort Town put into the 90 minutes.

Nevertheless, Luton’s impressive cup run was brought to an end as attention immediately switches to the derby match against Watford on Saturday.

Manager Nathan Jones made nine changes following Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Derby County in the Sky Bet Championship, with captain Sonny Bradley and left-back Rhys Norrington-Davies the ones to keep their place in the side.

Peter Kioso made his first competitive start for the Hatters and looked assured from the off, although it was the away side who dominated possession and had the better chances early on.

James Shea was kept busy from the beginning, he denied Mata in the opening stages and the Spaniard once more in the 14th minute, after a nice flowing move from United.

But the Hatters weren’t to let pressure from the five-time League Cup winners peg them back and created chances of their own. First the ex-United youngster Ryan Tunnicliffe drove forward and released Danny Hylton, who’s first-time effort hit the side-netting.

Adding continued pressure as the half went on, Jordan Clark went close to marking his birthday with a goal, but his deflected effort fizzed over the bar.

However just before the half-time whistle was blown, George Moncur was penalised for a foul on Brandon Williams in the penalty box. Mata took responsibility from 12-yards and sent Shea the wrong way to give United the lead in the 44th minute.

Bradley and Tunnicliffe produced some great defending after the hour mark, first to block Odion Ighalo’s shot after the striker ran from halfway into the Town box. Then to prevent Lingard’s effort from crossing the line, as the skipper volleyed the danger clear.

Shea was busy once more as he saved well with his legs to deny Donny Van de Beek from close range before Town came agonisingly close to an equaliser.

Andrew Shinnie’s free-kick from the right was met firmly by Tom Lockyer. Dean Henderson saved his initial header and the defender’s rebound straight after was cleared off the line miraculously.

A triple substitution of Fernandes, Rashford and Greenwood changed the context of the game, with the two England internationals both getting on the scoresheet at the end of the match.

That ended Town's chance of a last-16 trip to either Preston North End or Brighton & Hove Albion as United progressed into the next round of the competition.

Town: Shea, Kioso, Bradley (C), Lockyer, Norrington-Davies; Tunnicliffe, Shinnie, Moncur (Lee 76); Clark (Cornick 76), LuaLua, Hylton. Subs not used: Sluga, Cranie, Pearson, Mpanzu, Collins.

Yellows: Kioso, Hylton

Manchester United: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire (C), Williams; Matic, Fred, Van de Beek (Fernandes 79), Mata (Greenwood 79), Lingard; Ighalo (Rashford 79) Subs not used: Grant, Dalot, James, Mengi.

Goals: Mata (44), Rashford (88), Greenwood (90+2)

Yellows: Williams

Referee: Tim Robinson

Nathan Jones reflects on Manchester United defeat

The manager's thoughts after the 3-0 loss against United...

Manager Nathan Jones was ‘so proud’ of his players for the effort and desire they showed during the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United this evening.

The Hatters suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of the five-time Carabao Cup winners after goals from Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

Speaking after the final whistle, Jones said: “I’m so proud of the group. For 86 minutes I thought we were outstanding. It took a penalty, whether it’s dubious or clumsy, it took a penalty to take the lead.

“We had superb structure, probably needed a bit more quality in the final third, but as you say, that comes with £150 million. At the minute we haven’t got that, but I'm really proud of the performance, the work-rate.

"The changes that we made showed that our structure is in a great place. I'm just sick they scored the two late goals because if I’m honest, it put a gloss on it.

“We have to make sure we are professional in terms of that, it’s a learning curve for us. Turn the ball over in the middle of the park and they’re into you like a knife and butter.

"I’ll know when I look at it, how we played and how we went about it, we’ve got a squad here very capable of doing something really good in the Championship.

“We’ve got to use the squad. We can’t go and play an absolute, flat-out 90 minutes with the same team, then do it again against Watford.”

https://issuu.com/lutontownfc/docs/man_utd_programme_bcd_afa7c06198c990 - programme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSfE-bbbR6M – Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Hrd9vMcD8 – match highlights

Brave Hatters push Manchester United close but class of Rashford and Greenwood prevails

Carabao Cup, round three: Luton Town 0 Manchester United 3

Luton Town's Carabao Cup adventure is over for another season, but they put up a real fight before exiting at the hands of five-time winners Manchester United this evening.

The hosts more than matched their illustrious opponents for long periods of the contest, and had Tom Lockyer's double effort gone in with time running out, they might have forced a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out.

But the introduction of United's big guns Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood late on was to ultimately prove the difference, the trio's arrival leading to two goals as they put the tie to bed.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones can be mightily proud of his side's efforts on the night though, especially the manner in which they restricted their Premier League opponents at times, plus the poise they showed when winning possession back themselves.

As he had done against Reading in the previous round, the Luton chief made nine changes, giving right back Peter Kioso his full debut, some elevation for the youngster, who was playing in the National League for Hartlepool this time last season.

In also came Danny Hylton, Kazenga LuaLua and Tom Lockyer, with once again, only captain Sonny Bradley and Rhys Norrington-Davies keeping their places from the 2-1 win over Derby County on Saturday.

Visitors chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went strong, eager to chalk up a first win following their 3-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace over the weekend.

The Red Devils had £35m summer signing Donny van de Beek from Ajax in their starting 11, England internationals Harry Maguire and Jesse Lingard, plus experienced duo Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic.

The pattern of the game appeared to have been set early, United as expected dominating the ball, with Town forced to feed on mere scraps.

An early warning from United saw Lingard burst through the centre of the pitch and find Mata, whose low shot was claimed by Shea.

Town did look they could get some joy on the flanks though, LuaLua and Kioso both having decent crosses cut out by some last-ditch defending.

Maguire went for the spectacular, slicing wide, but Town had their moments, LuaLua's cross requiring clearing once more.

Shea then came to the rescue on 14 minutes, van de Beek dummying a cross from the left and Mata's shot forcing the keeper into an excellent save, parrying away.

Back came Luton though, Ryan Tunnicliffe, who looked hellbent on winning his place back in the Championship XI, driving forward from midfield against the side he began his career with, and finding Hylton, but the striker on his weaker left foot, couldn't locate the target.

Brazilian Fred had a pop from range, his drive taking a nick and leaving a stationary Shea thankful it flew wide of his post.

On 20 minutes though, the Hatters began to settle, growing into confidence and proceedings, having some concerted possession and starting to move United around themselves.

LuaLua won a corner from which the ball rebounded out to the edge of the box where Kioso's eyes lit up, seeing the morning headlines, but his shooting betrayed him, high and wide.

United were making the odd error now, one ball out of defence intercepted by Jordan Clark, who set off with one thing in his mind, springing forward and unleashing a shot which hit a defender and didn't miss by much.

Town's match-winning duo from the weekend almost combined for a third goal in three games on 34 minutes, Norrington-Davies whipping over a magnificent cross from the left, but Clark unable to get enough on his header on target this time.

United had what was an undeserved just two minutes prior to the break, George Moncur dangling a leg for Brandon Williams to go over inside the area for a penalty that Mata had no problem in hammering past Shea into the bottom corner.

Luton didn't let the goal affect them after the break, remaining on the front foot, as Lingard's ambitious 25-yarder whistled harmlessly into the stands.

The hosts had to scramble back though when Odion Ighalo went charging forward, Bradley, who was excellent once more, bravely blocking and then Tunnicliffe back to prevent Lingard's follow up from crossing the line.

Matic was much closer, Shea neatly moving to his left to palm away a daisy-cytter that was flying into the bottom corner, before Town had a decent opening of their own, Andrew Shinnie not quite committing to a volley on the edge of the box, drifting wide.

United's most creative spark Lingard lifted over from the edge of the box, before van de Beek was denied a first Red Devils goal by the legs of Shea.

Jones throw on Elliot Lee and Harry Cornick for the final 15 minutes, but opposite number Solskjaer flexed his muscles, Rashford, Greenwood and Fernandes all mobilised.

Despite the weighty additions, it was Luton who almost levelled, Shinnie's free kick met by the impressive Lockyer, his downward header saved by Dean Henderson, the centre half's follow up kicked away.

Fernandes then had a pop, Shea showing strong hands to bat it behind at his near post, before the subs showed their undoubted class with three minutes to go.

A magnificent one touch move through the centre of Town's defence involving a host of United players saw Luton's back-line bisected and it was left for Rashford to apply the finishing touch, which he did with a real touch of genuine class.

Late on, United started to up their pressure, Grennwood's low attempt collected by Shea, Lingard curling over and Rashford side-footing straight at Shea.

They did then add a slightly flattering feel to the final scoreline in the last minute, Greenwood venturing into the box and after throwing a few step-overs, coolly side-footed beyond Shea and into the bottom corner.

Hatters: James Shea, Peter Kioso, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Sonny Bradley ©, Tom Lockyer, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Andrew Shinnie, George Moncur (Elliot Lee 76), Jordan Clark (Harry Cornick 76), Kazenga LuaLua, Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Simon Sluga, Martin Cranie, Matty Pearson, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, James Collins.

Red Devils: Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire (C). Juan Mata (Bruno Fernandes 78), Jesse Lingard, Fred, Odion Ighalo (Mason Greenwood 78) , Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic, Brandon Williams, Donny van de Beek (Marcus Rashford 79).

Subs not used: Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot, Daniel James. Teden Mengi.

Booked: Williams 57, Kioso 68, Hylton 85.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Luton boss left feeling 'sick' as Town are knocked out by Manchester United's late show of strength

Hatters manager can't fault his side's efforts against five-time winners

Luton chief Nathan Jones admitted he was left feeling 'sick' after going out of the Carabao Cup to Premier League giants Manchester United this evening.

Although the eventual 3-0 defeat made it look like a routine victory for the visitors, they were only leading 1-0 through Juan Mata's penalty with five minutes to go, subs Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood coming off the bench to add a slightly unfair gloss to the scoreline.

Jones said: "“When I watch in back in the cold light of day I will be pleased, but I feel a bit sick at the minute because I think it flattered them a lot.

“We had to go for it late on and try to get the goal, with them bringing on a minimum of £150million worth of talent on at the end, you leave yourself a little bit open.

“I’m so proud of the performance, from start to finish, I thought we were excellent.

"These are a top Premier League side with Championship League ambitions, so for us to compete with that, and in the manner of the performance, in terms of how we pressed and worked, it shows we’re in a good place.

“We made nine changes to the side that played in the league and won on the weekend, so we know, as a group, we’re in a decent place.”

When asked if the triple substitution, Portugal star Bruno Fernandnes also introduced with 12 minutes to go, was a complement to his side, Jones continued: “You’ll have to ask them, but they needed a cushion and those three coming on, once you turn the ball over, they murder you.

“That’s what that type of player can do for you, but we were going for it right at the end and we want to give ourselves an opportunity to maybe get a goal and we left ourselves open.

“If I’d wanted to just have a 1-0 defeat, we could’ve shut up shop quite easily, but we kind of went for it.,

"We played two up top and were a little bit open and we got punished for it. That’s what top sides can do.

“It could’ve been a different story, they’re a top side but I’m proud of the performance and that’s what I can take from it.

"I know the group is in a good place. Structurally, we’re exactly the same as the league side and we’ve got great competition for our level.

"It shows that we are nowhere near, and in god’s will we won’t be anywhere near the level we were at last year."

Town been tough to break down in the first period until Brandon Williams went over George Moncur's outstretched leg in the area.

Jones had no real complaints about the decision by referee Tim Robinson, adding: "I think the speed of the referee giving it, I thought he had his whistle in his mouth before the foul was committed, but it’s a clumsy one, it’s a tiny, tiny nick and he’s gone over, but it probably is a pen.

"You’re going to get that, it’s clumsy defending, we need to defend better, against a top side you have to defend and I thought we did that for masses amounts of time.

"We limited them to nothing clear-cut, a few shots, which on another day can go in, but I’m proud of the structure we showed and how we went about it.

"This was a group who have come from League Two, we were playing League Two three years ago, so to put in a type of performance, because anyone can lose to Man United 3-0, but the manner of the performance, 95 per cent of it, that’s what I’m pleased with."