After three years of progress, Luton Town will get to test themselves against the very best

It’s been a whirlwind of a time for Luton Town over the past three years.

As recently as 2018 the Championship side were sat in the fourth division of English football, but back-to-back promotions saw the Hatters return to the Championship for the first time in 12 years.

Nathan Jones’ return to Kenilworth Road in June was a major boost for Luton’s survival hopes having looked short of ideas under Graeme Jones. The Welshman was able to guide the Hatters to safety and the Luton faithful will certainly be excited to have their fans-favourite at the helm from the start of a Championship season.

Thus far it’s been an excellent start to the season, with three wins from three. Cup wins against Norwich City and Reading respectively came either side of a 1-0 league win against Barnsley. But the Reading cup win, a 1-0 victory at the Madjeski, set up a mouth-watering affair between Luton and none other than English football royalty in Manchester United.

A clear downside of the contest is that fixtures like these are for the fans. There won’t be any in attendance next week. However, it should still be an opportunity relished by Nathan Jones and his men, 

Having made nine changes in the 1-0 win over Reading in the second round of the Carabao Cup, surely Jones will return to a stronger starting lineup when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United come to Kenilworth Road. Granted, the much-changed Hatters were comfortable on Wednesday night, despite what the scoreline may suggest. However, they may consider themselves lucky that Reading had a similar idea, making eleven changes from the Royals’ 2-0 league win at Derby on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images

The argument that Luton will be focused on the league this year is a fair one. The Hatters narrowly survived relegation last term and won’t want to confirm safety as late as that this year. But the opportunity for Nathan Jones’ players to test themselves against a side oozing with talent like United is one too good to miss. 

Albeit likely that United will field a weakened side at Kenilworth Road, the team that steps out onto the pitch will still be full of talent and will provide even Luton’s strongest eleven an incredibly stern challenge.

No one is expecting Luton to go out there and win, that would be ludicrous. However, you would expect Nathan Jones to field his strongest possible eleven. Chances to test yourself against the best like this for teams like Luton don’t come around often, and Luton should have their best players on the pitch when the fixture comes around, regardless of league prioritisation.

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