Andre Onana called for his Manchester United team-mates to stick together in the bad moments as well as the good after they extended their winning Premier League run to four games against Luton on Sunday.
Two early goals from striker Rasmus Hojlund set United on the way to a 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road, though they were made to sweat on the result after Carlton Morris pulled one back for the Hatters after 14 minutes.
Hojlund became the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games, with the 21-year-old’s barren spell that followed his £72million move from Atalanta seemingly now behind him.
Just the beginning 💫#MUFC || @PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/PjMtu2DmVY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 19, 2024
Advertisement
United are within five points of fourth-place Aston Villa in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
They are unbeaten since going down 2-1 to Nottingham Forest on December 30 and have progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they face a rematch with Forest at the City Ground next week.
Goalkeeper Onana, who like Hojlund has found form after being criticised for high-profile errors following his arrival at Old Trafford from Inter Milan in the summer, said togetherness will be key if the team are to maintain their good run until the end of the season.
“You know we have to be together in good and bad moments,” said Onana.
“We have to help each other even when things are not going good. But what we are doing now is very nice and it’s the way we have to follow.
👍 Thumbs up from a man in form 👍#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/7wApO6s1uc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 19, 2024
“We have to continue like this because we have done nothing. We didn’t do anything spectacular. Yet now we have to continue winning games, and that is the main thing.
“We have to try to win against every opponent and especially the next game is another final for us.”
United were made to work for three points by 17th-place Luton, who refused to lie down after falling two goals behind inside the opening seven minutes and quickly halved the arrears.
Rob Edwards’ side almost pulled off a famous fightback when Ross Barkley’s header hit the crossbar in stoppage time at the end of the game.
But Erik ten Hag’s team hung on to consolidate their place in sixth and keep the pressure on Villa and Tottenham.
“(Luton) are tough when they play at home and we expected a difficult game,” said Onana. “But like I always say, the quality is there. I’m happy for the victories and hopefully we continue this way this season.
“This is giving us more confidence. We are all happy, you know, when we win, especially this kind of game.
“These three points are very important for us to fight to be in the top four. But like I said, it’s always going to keep us together. This is just a strong motivation for us and makes us very happy.”
