Gary Neville identifies Man Utd target as Red Devils can 'smell' Champions League following Luton win

Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes his former club are putting 'real pressure' on top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

The Red Devils moved to within five points of the Champions League places with a hard earned win at Luton Town that could and should have been far more comfortable. Erik ten Hag's men made the perfect start at Kenilworth Road as Rasmus Hojlund put his side in front inside the opening two minutes after punishing an error from home defender Amari Bell in clinical fashion.

The former Atalanta striker made it eight goals in his last nine appearances in all competitions with just seven minutes on the clock with an intuitive finish as he expertly diverted a Alejandro Garnacho shot beyond Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski with his chest. However, Luton hit back on the quarter-hour mark with a goal from Carlton Morris and ensured United were subjected to an awkward afternoon against Rob Edwards' side.

There were chances for United to ease to the points in the second-half as the likes of Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes all wasted good opportunities to extend the lead - but their wastefulness ensured the hosts remained in the game until the full-time whistle brought a wave of relief around the away end at Kenilworth Road.

No matter how his former club got the win, former Red Devils captain Neville believes United are putting themselves in a solid position to ensure Old Trafford will host Champions League football for a second consecutive season.

He told Sky Sports: “They don’t half make it hard for themselves.  It looked like it was going to be plain sailing, two goals up, Hojlund was outstanding in that first ten minutes, Manchester United (were) outstanding - but they allowed Luton back into the game.  They had so many chances in the second-half but they’ve beaten Aston Villa away, one of their challengers for Champions League football.  Luton and Fulham next, they had to get six points from these two games and they’re halfway there.  They are putting real pressure on Tottenham and Aston Villa above them.”

Neville's former England team-mate Jamie Redknapp was also on hand to witness United's fourth consecutive Premier League win and he described Ten Hag's men as 'relentless' as they claimed a 'huge result' against a lively Luton side.

The former Liverpool star said: “They were relentless and Rasmus Hojlund is red hot right now. On the counter-attack, they had plenty of chances and they are getting on a bit of a run, there’s a bit of confidence.  They can smell that top four, they can smell a bit of Champions League football with Spurs stuttering yesterday, this is a huge result for them and it’s not easy coming here.”