Harry Maguire and Casemiro were given a lift by Eric ten Hag on Kenilworth Road. Photo: Sean Botterill/Getty Images
Good luck. Manchester United's teams combine youth and experience. «You can't win anything with kids» became the stick to beat Alan Hansen in 1995-96, but even in that era of Sir Alex Ferguson's dynasty, the Class of '92 teamed up with Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce and Denis Irwin. Despite Hansen's prediction, they won the Premier League title.
As strong as United's current form is, that trophy still looks out of reach. But in recent weeks there have been signs of an equally balanced lineup being formed. There are promising new signings with Alejandro Garnacho excelling on the right flank, Kobby Mainu excelling in central midfield and Rasmus Hoylund finding form in attack.
They are supported by an experienced core of Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. Ironically, it was the senior group that gave Erik ten Hag the most problems in the 2-1 win at Kenilworth Road.
Shaw was substituted before the second half for the second game in a row. His sending off against Aston Villa was a precaution, but this time it looked more worrying, judging by his disconsolate expression and the protective boots he wore after the game. Maguire and Casemiro also didn't make it to the second half and their performances caused a bit of worry in a game that should have gone quietly.
Luton couldn't live with United in the opening minutes. The exchanges in midfield were too lively, the front three were too mobile, and two goals were cruel punishment. Luton then managed to regain momentum and eventually control after Carlton Morris scored.
From this point on the game began to be affected by the noisy force of Kenilworth Road. Voices were raised, referee decisions were mocked, and the stadium shook with the crowd smelling blood. This is where your old guard needs to step in and calm the situation. Instead, Casemiro was lucky to remain on the field. His booking for bringing down Amari Bell was his eighth yellow card in the last 10 games. Soon after, he clumsily brought down Ross Barkley. Another yellow would have been harsh, but that's not surprising.
Ten Hag admits the team is «fragile.»
Maguire, who has improved so much this season, has regressed here too. His impulsive challenge on Morris came as the Luton striker visibly got the better of the England centre-half.
Ten Hag said afterwards that his team remained «fragile» due to their failure to close out the game, not scoring enough goals and then going too deep. But perhaps the real fragility showed when the United manager felt the need to send off two players whose job it is not to score goals, not to allow them.
Ten Hag confirmed after the game that both had been sent off . for fear of getting a red card.
«The game was going in the wrong direction, there was a lot of pressure on the referee and they were both at risk of getting another yellow card,» he said. “We had good replacements in both Scott McTominay and Jonny Evans.”
The United manager disagreed with Casemiro's initial warning and said he was not worried about the Brazilian's overall form. “I think it’s unfair — the first booking. It's hard to play when you can get a warning for not touching an opponent.»
«Now he's back in the team, he brings so much, so much calm and organization. We are very glad that he returned, and since then the team has also raised its level.”
Luton manager Rob Edwards felt Casemiro was lucky not to be sent off but refused to blame the referees for his side's defeat. “The fact that he came on at half-time probably shows you that. They might have gotten away with one there.”
So it was left to greybeard fringe players McTominay and Evans to keep United's performance going. In the end, they earned their win more due to Luton's lack of sharpness, helped by the loss of top scorer Elijah Adebayo to injury in the warm-up.
Kobby Mainu showed remarkable composure that his senior teammates would do well to emulate. Photo: Ash Donelon/Getty Images
United also defied the odds, but there was one player who reliably set the tone for everyone around him and did everything possible to get the ball in his hands. stings from the game.
Mainu has an uncanny ability to maintain order in hard-to-reach places, quickly escaping from trouble. We've seen this before with many teenagers, but their decision-making often betrays inexperience.
Not so for Mainoo, the master always chooses the option of maintaining possession. Sometimes a simple pass, sometimes a cheeky pass to Alfie Doughty, which came so quickly that even Doughty didn't seem sure it had happened.
As the game became volatile, it seemed that » United must do everything they can to force Maina into more possession — an unusual state of affairs for the youngest player in the team. He was the personification of calm. Perhaps he should put his arm around his senior colleagues' shoulders.
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