Luton Town vs Manchester United LIVE: Ten Hag has perfect record against promoted teams as Red Devils return to Kenilworth Road – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Manchester United will look to continue their recent momentum to close the gap to the top four when they face Luton Town this weekend.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in all competitions in 2024 ahead of a first visit to Kenilworth Road in 32 years.

It's the third time this season McTominay has come off the bench to scoreCredit: Getty

Erik ten Hag's side have secured late away wins at Wolves and Aston Villa recently to reignite their push to retain Champions League football.

Man United are now just five points adrift of Tottenham in fourth as they bid to extend their dominant record over Luton.

The Old Trafford outfit are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Luton in all competitions, since a 2-1 loss at Kenilworth Road in 1987.

Ten Hag has won also all nine of his Premier League games against newly promoted clubs, the best 100 percent win ratio against those sides of any manager in Premier League history.

Luton have proved a stern challenge for Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal at home this term but may be rocked by a 3-1 defeat to bottom side Sheffield United last time out.

Luton Town vs Man United: Super Scot

Ten Hag has a big decision to make over whether to restore Scott McTominay to his starting line-up.

The midfielder scored an 86th-minute winner as a substitute for United on Sunday in their 2-1 victory away at Aston Villa.

McTominay has netted eight goals in all competitions this season and is the club's second-highest scorer behind Rasmus Hojlund on 11.

Despite this, the Scotland international has made just 17 starts during the campaign, with his last two goals coming off the bench with 17 minutes left on the clock.

His seven Premier League goals this season have been worth 12 points to his side, the most of any player for any team this season.

Unfortunately for McTominay, the data shows that Ten Hag's side performs better when his role is reduced to an impact substitute.

United have only a 50 percent win rate with McTominay in the line-up compared to 77 percent with him as a substitute.

He himself has also scored more goals when coming off the bench, with three of the five Premier League games he has scored in this season proving to be match-winners.

McTominay has found his place at Man United as a super-sub After failing to score in his first 14 Premier League appearances, Man Utd’s Rasmus Hojlund has scored one goal in each of his last five matches. A goal in this game would see him become the youngest ever player to score in six in a row, with Joe Willock the current youngest (21 years, 272 days). Carlton Morris has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other Luton player this season (6 goals, 4 assists), with four of his goals coming via the penalty spot. He’s the first English player with four penalties in his debut Premier League campaign since Troy Deeney in 2015-16 (6). Erik ten Hag has won all nine of his Premier League games against newly promoted clubs, the best 100% win ratio against those sides of any manager in Premier League history. The only two managers to win their first 10 games against promoted clubs in the competition are José Mourinho (first 15) and Roberto Mancini (first 12).

Luton Town vs Man United: What has been said?

Rio Ferdinand believes McTominay could consider his future at United as he continues to shine off the bench.

Ferdinand told talkSPORT: "I don't think anyone has scored as many last-minute goals or late goals as him, as winners. He's important to the squad you can see it, it's there for all to see in black and white.

"I just think he's got a big decision to make at the end of the season, there were rumours he was leaving in the summer, I think West Ham or someone were interested in taking him when Declan Rice left and you can see that.

"I think it's up to him because he has the decision to make, does he want to stay at Man United and be somebody that can come on and impact games at times?

"He's going to get a run of games here and there because of injuries and fatigue of players, if the best players in the team are fit he may not start all the time.

"Or does he want to go elsewhere and be a main, regular player in that team, a mainstay in a team that have probably got less aspirations than Man United, and obviously the glamour and the glitz that comes with Man United and hopefully building towards success.

"That's the decision I think he's got to make and it's down to him. As I said, does he want to play more football and be a regular starter, or does he want to stay at Man United and do what he's doing?

"If he was going to have the feelings that he's having now, I don't think it's a decision, I think he stays because he's scoring goals, impacting games, you still feel a big part of it."

Luton have shocked the early-season predictions and sit outside the drop zoneCredit: Getty In all competitions, Manchester United have won five of their last six games, including their last four in a row. The Red Devils last had a longer winning run between November 2022 and January 2023 (9 in a row). Across their last seven Premier League matches, Luton are averaging 15.1 shots per game, in comparison to the 10.3 shots they had on average in their first 16 matches. The Hatters have also had 5.9 shots on target per game in those seven games, a big increase on the 2.6 per game they had in their first 16. Manchester United have won their last 11 Premier League matches against newly promoted clubs, only conceding five goals in this run. It’s their best winning run against promoted sides since a 12-match run between 2011 and 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Luton Town vs Man United: Team news

The home side are without Mads Andersen, Tom Lockyer and Marvelous Nakamba.

Daiki Hashioka could make his debut, while ex-United pair Tahith Chong and Teden Mengi will be itching to face their former side.

The visitors are sweating on the fitness of Luke Shaw after he was replaced by Victor Lindelof in the West Midlands last time out.

United are already without defensive pair Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is closing in on a return.

Anthony Martial and Mason Mount remain absent.

Ten Hag has made an improved start to the yearCredit: Getty Only Tottenham (36 games) are on a longer scoring run in Premier League matches among current teams than Luton Town (11 games). However, the Hatters have ended on the losing side in five of those games (W4 D2). Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Luton in all competitions (W10 D2), since a 2-1 loss at Kenilworth Road in March 1987. Luton have lost nine of their last 10 league games against Manchester United, with the exception being a 1-1 draw the last time they faced them at Kenilworth Road (April 1992).

Luton Town vs Man United: How to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, February 18.

Kick-off at Kenilworth Road is scheduled for 4:30pm.

The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, and Sky Sports Premier League, following coverage of Sheffield United vs Brighton.

talkSPORT will provide live updates throughout the afternoon while talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog as well.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.