What Rasmus Hojlund did before he scored shows he is transformed for Manchester United

Rasmus Hojlund mishit a right-footed shot during the warm-up and it still went in. There was never any danger of where he would put the ball on his left foot.

This was a classic compare and contrast. Hojlund spurned easier chances against Luton at Old Trafford in November. Here at Kenilworth Road, he scored two from one chance inside the first seven minutes.

Hojlund only had to wait 37 seconds for his first sighter and there was brilliance to supplement the good fortune of his second. He deliberately deflected Alejandro Garnacho's off-target shot on target without it grazing his arm, ensuring there would be no intervention from the Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park.

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Erik ten Hag inaccurately reiterated on Friday Manchester United "chose to bring in young players for the future”. Hojlund, the youngest and most expensive of the summer recruits at an initial £64million, is the only one who fits that criteria and he has been the most accomplished addition by a distance, rivalled only by Jonny Evans.

"This game's over already," a voluble Luton fan lamented after seven minutes. When Hojlund scents blood, he is now killing teams.

He apologised to Garnacho in the 55th minute for retaining the ball for an inordinate period only to cede it. By that time, his white kit was so muddied it was almost a different colour.

Hojlund had a glorious chance for a hat-trick in the 78th minute. Hojlund has banked enough goodwill for that mishap to be forgivable. The 1,389 United fans put their hands together upon his removal in the 86th minute.

The blessing of midweeks devoid of European commitments for