MATA SHATTERS THE HATTERS
THeSe are, of course, unprecedented times although Manchester united manager ole Gunnar Solskjaer was relieved to discover some things do not change.
Juan Mata remains a delightful footballer at the age of 32, with a silky ability to illuminate and influence any contest, and Manchester united will usually get a penalty.
these two reliable old forces combined in Solksjaer’s favour at Kenilworth road.
Mata flickered, sparkled and scored from the spot, just before half- time, and it proved just enough to beat spirited Luton town of the Championship and secure a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
It was united’s 23rd penalty in all competitions since the start of last season. they have converted 19 of them, and the season crept into life, after a belated start and a home defeat against Crystal palace.
Solskjaer made 10 changes to the team beaten by Crystal palace on Saturday, with recalls for some of his forgotten squad men, including Jesse Lingard, who opened brightly, and Mata, who tested Luton goalkeeper James Shea twice inside the opening 15 minutes with low shots from the edge of the area.
united started at a brisk tempo and dominated possession. Fred whistled a shot narrowly wide but Luton did not come into the tie to defend and were bubbling with confidence after performing a stunning escape from relegation last season under returning boss Nathan Jones, and starting the new campaign with four wins on the bounce. Jones, like Solskjaer, made wholesale changes to his team, with only two surviving from the win against Derby on Saturday. they weathered united’s early efforts, grew into the game and began to threaten.
Danny Hylton, released by ryan tunnicliffe, was disappointed to slice a shot wide and an effort from distance by Jordan Clark took a deflection and swerved over. Clark headed another chance wide. Dean Henderson, making his debut for united in goal, dealt cleanly with the ball when it came his way in the first half without having to make a save.
united went ahead seconds before the interval. Brandon williams, surging forward from left back, produced an explosive change of pace and was tripped by George Moncur as he moved inside the area. there was not a lot of contact but williams was caught and went down in a flash. referee tim robinson did not have any doubts. He pointed to the spot and Mata stepped up to send goalkeeper Shea the wrong way to claim his first goal since he scored in the 5-0 europa League win at LASZ Linz, in March.
It was Luton’s first clash with united since they were top-flight rivals in 1992 and Mick Harford was in his pomp, and they refused to be subdued by the body-blow of the goal just before half-time.
Luton continued to play with ambition and purpose. Hylton flashed the ball low across Henderson’s goal, soon after the restart, but there was no one up in support. williams booked for taking down Kazenga LuaLua to halt a dangerous break but united had chances to extend their lead. Centre half Sonny Bradley blocked from odion Ighalo and then tunnicliffe made a crucial clearance to deny Lingard on the goal line, and Shea saved from Nemanja Matic as the visitors took control. But tom Lockyer came close to an equaliser in a late scramble when Henderson made a strong save and eric Bailly cleared off the line. Solksjaer sent on Mason Greenwood, Marcus rashford and Bruno Fernandes to close out the tie and rashford and Greenwood obliged with late goals to add gloss to the scoreline.