“,”elementId”:”cff43dc7-b5d6-4917-8466-1f1623937e00″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement”,”prefix”:”Related: “,”text”:”Rashford, Højlund and Garnacho: power trio leading Manchester United revival | Jonathan Wilson”,”elementId”:”c3728c64-cb29-40ee-8ba8-6ec9e9817f7d”,”role”:”thumbnail”,”url”:”https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2024/feb/17/rashford-garnacho-hojlund-manchester-united”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1708270932000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”10.42 EST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1708271119000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay” :”10.45 EST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1708271119000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.45 EST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.45″,”title”:”Pregame Read”,”Posted by”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sunday 18 February 2024 11.05 EST”,”SecondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sunday 18 February 2024 10.30 EST”},{“id”:”65d223918f08fee2fe08d591″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Luton (probable 3-4-2-1) Kaminski; Mengi, Osho, Bell; Chong, Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty; Ogbene, Morris; Adebayo.
“,”elementId”:”ca006785-5786-4f25-a2e5-7befd79b9f22″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Subs: Krul, Burke, Kaboré, Mpanzu, Berry, Nelson, Townsend, Clark, Woodrow.
“,”elementId”:”b4b0005d-1264-4b53-b1e3-df6d2e79c068″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Man United (probable 4-1-2-3) Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro; Mainoo, Fernandes; Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
“,”elementId”:”c5547b60-d885-43e6-919b-2637d40b13d4″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Subs: Bayindir, Lindelof, Evans, Amrabat, Eriksen, McTominay, Antony, Amad, Forson.
“,”elementId”:”dac13b51-5de9-424b-9831-f757ab6af360″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Referee David Coote.
“,”elementId”:”e462c8c3-a121-4c9f-afac-e802d7284ad5″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
“,”elementId”:”d9ef8161-9437-43c4-bdbe-e6a79a90d206″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1708270481000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”10.34Â EST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1708270640000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay” :”10.37Â EST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1708270640000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.37Â EST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.37″,”title”:”Entire Team”,”Contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sunday, February 18, 2024 11.05 EST”,”SecondaryDateLine”:”First publication date Sunday, February 18, 2024 10.30 EST”},{“id”:”65d222e38f08fee2fe08d583″, “elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Luke Shaw has been passed fit, so Erik ten Hag sticks with his settled first XI (bar the injured Lisandro Martinez). Rob Edwards gives a start to two Man United alumni, with Tahith Chong joining Teden Mengi. Andros Townsend is on the bench.
“,”elementId”:”6c7546a1-de75-4706-83ea-d44a2dde4c11″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1708270307000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”10.31Â EST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1708270477000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay” :”10.34Â EST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1708270477000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.34Â EST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.34″,”title”:”Team Overview: Shaw starts, so does Chong”, “Contributor”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sunday, February 18, 2024 11.05 EST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First publication date Sunday, February 18, 2024 10.30 EST”},{“id”:”65cf2d548f0867c21574dbfd”, “elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to what should be a tasty Sunday teatime. Itâs Kenilworth Road, Luton v Man United, 17th v sixth, David v Goliath. Itâs a Premier League game that feels more like a cup tie.
“,”elementId”:”55059065-7361-4e35-baf5-906077d9ef40″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
When it comes to form, thereâs not much between the two sides. In the table for the past two months, as of this morning, United were sixth and Luton were eighth. Both clubs have been making things happen at both ends of the pitch. Unitedâs cumulative score in the league since 18 December is 15-12, while Lutonâs is 16-13. The form book is telling us this will be a nice open game that ends two-and-a-half all.
“,”elementId”:”339aca7c-010b-4473-bd59-3b0a85612311″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
United have a record to preserve: they are formidable in February, unbeaten in 25 league games since Valentineâs Day 2018, when they were still trying to make things work with Jose Mourinho. Luton have a record to claim: after scoring in every league match since mid-November, they are poised to go 12 top-flight games without drawing a blank for the first time in their history.
“,”elementId”:”d0a1b242-9fbe-4747-bc9f-e8b2663b1c34″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
The last opponents to keep a clean sheet against them in the league were ⦠Man United, with a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. The winner was scored by Victor Lindelof, who will probably only start today as a makeshift left-back, if Luke Shaw is unfit. Andros Townsend might like the sound of that.
“,”elementId”:”91165bb0-2f65-47c5-bb28-6bb391e72978″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Neither side can move up or down the table today, but thereâs still more than enough at stake. Erik ten Hag needs a win to stay within shouting distance of Spurs, Villa and the Champions League. Rob Edwards could do with one to pull away from Everton and put pressure on Palace. And while Unitedâs front three have finally come together to pose a consistent threat, Luton have worked out how to score goals against their biggers and betters, bagging four against Brighton and Newcastle and even managing three against Arsenal.
“,”elementId”:”af552299-8359-4198-aff4-4c5dcce3f887″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Kick-off is at 4.30pm GMT and Iâll be back soon with the teams. Meanwhile, hereâs a face in the crowd.
“,”elementId”:”b30916f6-ae85-4f6a-b6b3-f0ab5c73519a”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”source”:”Twitter”,”id”:”1759236937896898577″,”elementId”:”31a14ad6-6f3f-4396-8000-293b82c9e361″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/LutonTown/status/1759236937896898577″,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”html”:”
Good to see you, @Harry_Styles! ðpic.twitter.com/UrwIT2AeT1
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 18, 2024
\n\n”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1708270246000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”10.30Â EST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1708269860000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay” :”10.24Â EST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1708270246000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.30Â EST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.30″,”title”:”Preamble”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sunday 18 February 2024 11.05 EST”,”SecondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sunday 18 February 2024 10.30 EST”}],”filterKeyEvents”:false,”id”:”key -events-carousel-mobile “}” config=”{“renderingTarget”:”Web”,”darkModeAvailable”:false}”>
important events
Rob Edwards is talking to Sky now and Tom Lockyer is next to him. Asked about last weekend’s home defeat to Sheffield United, Edwards was understandably keen to talk about the moment. “Oddly enough,” he says, “this game probably suits us better.” It doesn’t take long for fans to accept that. ”
Tom Lockyer has described a moment when football truly was a matter of life and death.
In today’s other game, Brighton just scored their fifth goal. Poor former club Sheffield United, reduced to 10 men thanks to Mason Holgate’s shocking tackle, still have a goal difference of -43. Join Dominic Booth for the gory details.
pre-game reading
In his column for the Observer, Jonathan Wilson reflects on United’s improvements, particularly up front. Of all the soccer stories you’ve ever read, this may be the only one that includes the phrase “difficult husband.”
The whole team is here
Luton (probably 3-4-2-1) Kaminsky; Mengi, Osho, Bell. Chong, Lokonga, Barclay, Doughty. Ogbene, Morris. Adebayo.
Subs: Krull, Burke, Kabore, Mpanzu, Berry, Nelson, Townsend, Clarke, Woodrow.
Manchester United (probably 4-1-2-3) Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw. Casemiro; Mainu, Fernandez. Garnacho, Hoylund, Rashford.
Subs: Bindil, Lindelof, Evans, Amrabat, Eriksen, McTominay, Anthony, Amado, Forson.
referee David Coote.
Team overview: Shaw starts, Chung also starts.
With Luke Shaw recovering well, Erik ten Hag will stick with the established first eleven (minus the injured Lisandro Martinez). Rob Edwards will give two former Man United players a starting spot, with Tahith Chong joining Teden Mengi. Andros Townsend is on the bench.
preamble
Hello Hello. Welcome to delicious Sunday tea time. It’s Kenilworth Road, Luton v Man United, No. 17 v. No. 6, David v. Goliath. It’s a Premier League game that feels like a cup match.
In terms of form, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. As of this morning, United are sixth and Luton eighth in the table for the past two months. Both clubs have something going on at both ends of the pitch. United’s cumulative score in league games since December 18 is 15 wins, 12 losses, and Luton’s 16 wins, 13 losses. According to the form book, this will be a great opener that will last two and a half games.
United have a record to save. They had a formidable run in February, going unbeaten in 25 league games since Valentine’s Day in 2018, when Jose Mourinho was trying to get things rolling. Luton have a record to claim. Since mid-November, he has scored in every league match and is set to play 12 top-flight games without a blank for the first time in history.
The last opponent to keep a clean sheet in the league was Man United, who won 1-0 in a come-from-behind game. Victor Lindelof scored the winning goal. If Luke Shaw is not eligible, he will likely start as a temporary left-back for today only. Andros Townsend might like that sound.
Neither team can move up or down in the standings today, but there’s still more than enough at stake. Erik ten Hag needs a win to stay within screaming distance of Spurs, Villa and the Champions League. Rob Edwards was able to pull one away from Everton and put Palace under pressure. And while United’s front three has finally come together to pose a consistent threat, Luton have figured out how to score goals against bigger and better opponents, scoring four goals against Brighton and Newcastle. He scored three goals against Arsenal.
Kick-off is at 4:30pm GMT. I’ll be back on the team soon. Meanwhile, there are faces in the crowd.
I’m glad to meet you. @Harry_Styles! 💋pic.twitter.com/UrwIT2AeT1
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 18, 2024
\n\n”}}” config=”{“renderingTarget”:”Web”,”darkModeAvailable”:false}”/>
