Game Week 12 Predictions: Straight win United

It's a crunch game for Manchester United, one they must win to avoid going into the break with defeat hangover. (Photo credit: 90Min)

 

Manchester United vs. Luton

Old Trafford

4:00pm

Manchester United is in the middle of nowhere. After a late win to appease the fans in the league last weekend and then an embarrassing loss at Copenhagen in midweek in the Champions League, it’s a simple pendulum now.

It was the stuff of dreams last weekend; it was going to be better with a few minutes left on the clock, but even the hardest of Luton fans would give up the clean sheet and a part of the spoil for Luis Diaz considering the situations around him.

Luton held on and went into the break against Liverpool. Not many expected that, but the Hatters stood their ground and sent their stadium into sheer delirium with a Tahith Chong goal. The solitary point gained took them out of the bottom three; it’s time to dream.

Manchester United must fix a lot of their problems if they don’t want to go down the slope with teams manning up against them. It took a last-gasp strike from Bruno Fernandes for them to beat Fulham last weekend, and now they’re at risk of losing out on the Champions League.

Erik Ten Hag confirms that Casemiro is not expected back on the team this year; Johnny Evans is injured, and they’re not thin at the back. Harry Maguire is the only fit centre-back, but Raphael Varane got minutes in midweek; he will have to fill in, and fans would hope he stays fit.

Luton will hope for another great game against a big side, but this time, they’re going to United’s Old Trafford. The stadium used to be a dreaded one, but these days, United players appear to be the away side even at home, and that could help Luton.

The Hatters must be brave; they cannot afford to sit deep and defend. They have to take advantage of the positional weaknesses of United players, and they can’t stop running. If they take their chances when they get any, they could record a historic result.

Marcus Rashford is expected to return, and Rasmus Hojlund is going to be the man to watch out for; the Dane scored twice against Copenhagen on Wednesday but fell short as his team lost 4-3. He hasn’t scored in the league; here’s his opportunity.

Verdict: United to win