Rasmus Hojlund etched his name into Premier League history during Manchester United’s 2-1 triumph over Luton on Sunday, surviving an early scare at Kenilworth Road.
The 21-year-old striker’s brace within the first seven minutes marked a significant milestone, as he became the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches, surpassing Joe Willock’s previous record by achieving the feat at 21 years and 14 days old.
This accomplishment echoes the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored in 10 successive top-flight outings for United in 2003, before Jamie Vardy eclipsed the record with 11 in a row in 2015.
Hojlund’s journey with United saw him break a dry spell of 14 Premier League appearances since his August transfer from Atalanta, now boasting eight goals in his last eight games across all competitions.
While Hojlund’s double should have secured United’s dominance, Luton displayed resilience as Carlton Morris swiftly narrowed the deficit. Erik ten Hag’s side faced sustained pressure and squandered multiple opportunities to seal victory against the fourth-bottom Luton in a tense finale.
United’s fourth consecutive league win propelled them within five points of fourth-placed Aston Villa in the Champions League qualification race, a goal that seemed distant amid a challenging season.
However, Hojlund’s prolific form has rejuvenated their aspirations. The match began with Hojlund intercepting Amari’i Bell’s errant back pass within 37 seconds, rounding keeper Thomas Kaminski to slot into the empty net.
Hojlund’s second goal arrived in the seventh minute, following a spirited effort from Marcus Rashford that narrowly missed its mark, hinting at United’s potential to dominate.
