Nathan Jones said he felt “sick” at the unflattering scoreline as Manchester United substitutes Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood scored at the death to kill off Luton in the Carabao Cup – but not in almost every other aspect of their positive performance.
Even Juan Mata’s penalty that saw them end the first half one goal behind was harsh on the Hatters, as they’d weathered an early storm and then took the game to United, packed with international talent in a strong line-up. In comparison, the hosts made nine changes from the side that went into this contest unbeaten this term. Save for a fast but fruitless start from the Premier League outfit, it didn’t show.
In fact, there were promising performances all over the pitch, not least from new boy Tom Lockyer who formed a potentially zen-like partnership with captain Sonny Bradley, which if you look only at the scoreline might draw guffaws, but they exuded class and calm.
Then there was the resurgence of forgotten man Ryan Tunnicliffe – without a second of action in the league since July – against the side he won an FA Youth Cup with – while left back Rhys Norrington-Davies continues to show that boss Jones may have a genuine replacement for James Justin.
And, in full debutant Peter Kioso in the other full back berth, he’s inherited a rough diamond, that relished in crunching, old-fashion style, into tackles and keeping Jesse Lingard in his pocket.
Right through the Town team, there were players determined to enjoy the spotlight and, more crucially, assert that they are deserving of a start in the Championship.
As a strange twist of footballing fate, Manchester United were just the warm-up act to the one of the biggest games of the season when Luton travel to fierce local rivals Watford on Saturday, for the first time in 14 long years.
But for the Red Devil’s part, it took a triple substitution of international superstars to deliver the late knockout blows, when Town were pushing for an equaliser and open to speedy counters – and that’s what was playing on Jones’ mind.
“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,” the manager said.
“But 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.”
Asked if United’s substitutions were a complement to his side, Jones said: “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, played two up top and were a little bit open and we got punished for it. That’s what top sides can do.”
At 1-0, Luton had their big chance when Lockyer, so composed at the back boomed a header goalwards, only to see hotly-tipped keeping debutant Dean Henderson equal to the task and then Eric Bailly hacking the centre back’s rebound off the line.
“It could’ve been a different story,” said Jones, adding: “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.”
Jones opposite number, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, concurred, saying: “Levels in English football are getting better as that’s their cup team as well, not their league team.
“You know it’s always going to be difficult towards the last 20 minutes if it’s only one goal in it and Dean made a save to keep us away from a penalty shoot-out.
“They were compact, difficult to play against and they had a few counter attacks which could have become better chances. They made us defend, Eric (Bailly) had nice block, we had to be stretched and we needed it.”
For Luton’s season, it was another positive projection that, as Jones said: “Shows that we are nowhere near, and in god’s will we won’t be anywhere near the levels we were at last year.”
While it may be wishful thinking to see Luton maintain their lofty, yet early, position in the Championship’s automatic promotion places, this performance against Manchester United just rubber-stamped what we’ve started to see already – that the class of 2020/21 is in no mood to be relegation fodder again.
RATINGS
James Shea – 8
The goalie kept out Juan Mata in the early stages, but was sent the wrong way from the spot by the Spaniard. There’s no shame in that, but in open play he denied Donny van de Beek in the second half after Sonny Bradley made a block, but the ball fell to United’s new signing. He also saved well from substitute Bruno Fernandes. He didn’t deserve to pick the ball out of the net three times, but might think he could’ve done better for the third.
Peter Kioso – 8
Showed no fear on his debut and was having none of Jesse Lingard’s trickery, largely keeping the England international quiet. One particularly pleasing demonstration saw him nick the ball off the winger and leave him on the ground. His final ball, when in attack, needs some polish and he was booked for a very over exuberant foul on Eric Bailly, but nothing malicious. He gives the sort of full-bloodied performance that will make fans warm to him.
Sonny Bradley – 8
The skipper looks a far more confident player than last season. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he passed the ball well out from the back and his positional sense was spot on. He marshalled Odion Ighalo well and made a good first half clearance after Jesse Lingard got in behind and fired across the six-yard area.
Tom Lockyer – 9 (Man of the Match)
Luton’s big chance fell to him and he did everything right but his header was foiled expertly by keeper Dean Henderson and then his follow-up was cleared off the line by Eric Bailly. It’s unusual to rate a defender so highly after conceding three goals, but he wasn’t at fault for them and the final two hardly count anyway. At the back, he was a calming presence, and was always quick to get his head up after winning possession to start off attacks. He hit one stunning cross-field pass to Rhys Norrington-Davies to highlight his ability with the ball at his feet and thought it’s early days, he looks a classy addition to Luton’s side.
Rhys Norrington-Davies – 8
He played a wonderful ball into the path of Danny Hylton, but the striker was just offside, and he showed signs in the first half of a promising understanding with Kazenga LuaLua. His crossing is sublime and he almost picked out Jordan Clark for the third match running, which is a potent weapon in Town’s arsenal. He could’ve got tighter to Mason Greenwood for the third, but the match was lost by then and it didn’t negate all his other good work.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 8.5
An impressive performance. Even more so for a player that hasn’t seen much action. Neat in tight areas in front of Town’s box when United pressed. Did the simple stuff well and burst forward at every opportunity and was the provider of the Hatters’ first chance, which signalled a strong Luton finish to the first half. Cleared Jesse Lingard’s shot off the line when United had a spell of pressure around the hour mark.
Andrew Shinnie – 7.5
The midfielder didn’t do anything wrong but had a rather inconspicuous evening and couldn’t impact the play.
George Moncur – 7
Was the subject of frequent touchline rollickings from boss Nathan Jones when United were on top in the early stages, then Brandon Williams telegraphed his intention to draw a foul in the penalty area and he naively obliged to gift Manchester the opening goal on the stroke of half time. Replaced by Elliot Lee on 76 minutes. Not his day.
Jordan Clark – 8
Has a fine first touch and it gave him the space to run at the Red Devils. Would’ve been dreaming of a third headed goal in successive matches when he locked onto a Norrington-Davies cross, but got clattered by Danny Hylton. But his general link up play is exciting and he must be battering down the door for a first league start. Replaced by Harry Cornick on 76 minutes.
Kazenga LuaLua – 8
Had a lively performance and produced two good crosses in the first half, the second after intercepting a stray pass from Harry Maguire and saw one shot deflected.
Hylton – 8
The striker was a good outlet for Town, and played the target man role well, holding the ball up, though that’s not to say Luton were just lumping it up to him and hoping it stuck. He was a real pest for Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly and he just needs a goal, but he fired disappointingly wide with Luton’s first chance on 18 minutes after Ryan Tunnicliffe burst forward. Booked for a late foul on Brandon Williams.
Subs:
Harry Cornick – 7.5
Told by Nathan Jones to press United’s defence, which he did, while proving direct with the ball at his feet and probing for openings.
Lee – 7.5
Does the simple things well but couldn’t affect the game
Unused subs: Simon Sluga, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, James Collins
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