KENILWORTH Road, with its' quaint away end, wooden seats and tiny dressing room had all the makings of an upset for City last week.
The wind and rain was howling, City were reeling themselves after four games without a win, Erling Haaland was injured, and the home fans sensed something special could happen against the bruised defending champions having taken Arsenal until the 96th minute days before.
A huge flag in the corner of the old main stand at Luton read: 'Luton Town, Betrayed by the FA 2008, with the Hatters' songbook still not forgiving the FA and EFL for their massive 30-point deduction that saw them, unsurprisingly, relegated from League Two in the same year City became the richest club in the world.
The sense of an upset, in as close to a cup atmosphere as it's possible to get in the Premier League, increased when Luton took the lead last Sunday.
But City hit back, did what they needed to to win, and have since put that blip behind them. Guardiola saw a quality he liked last week, and one of his captains believes their relentless winning machine is close to starting up again.
"I like the feeling that going to Luton Town is extremely complicated," Guardiola said on Friday after City followed up their win at Kenilworth Road with a fine win against Red Star with a second-string side.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Youngster Toby open to Old Trafford January exit
UNITED midfielder Toby Collyer is open to a move to a Championship club this month if a suitable offer emerges.
Even United's 'untouchables' are not safe
SIR Jim Ratcliffe hasn't been afraid of making difficult decisions in his 11 months in charge at Old Trafford, and if a good offer arrives for Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho this month, you can be certain sentimentality won't be priced into the equation.
Young forward recalled from Latics loan move
UNITED have recalled striker Joe Hugill from Wigan Athletic.
Club chiefs ready to play hardball on new contracts
UNITED'S efforts to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules could force them to sell one of their homegrown players.
Josh may not be success, but he deserves respect
REGARDLESS of your opinion of Joshua Zirkzee as a footballer and whether United should have signed him, the chances are you felt sorry for him as he faced a chorus of boos from his own supporters when he was substituted in the first half against Newcastle at Old Trafford last week.
Rash could be feeling pressure of 'being local'
FORMER United winger Lee Sharpe believes the pressures of being a local player could be one of the reasons Marcus Rashford wants to quit Old Trafford.
Frankfurt's message to Txiki: 'Show us the money
YOU know you are trying to buy a player from the Bundesliga when there are quotes from the selling club's executives in the papers every day.
RIO HAPPY WITH DESIRE IN ANFIELD CLASH
UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has praised the effort and desire the Reds showed in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, insisting the players now have an understanding of what Ruben Amorim expects.
Numbers all add up for Omar to make switch
THERE was a moment shortly after Jack Grealish signed for City back in 2021 when he walked into the dressing room at the Etihad Stadium to see his new shirt for the first time.
Striker needed who can make big IMPACT
AT least Ruben Amorim has promised United will 'try to do something. Goals win games and the Reds do not have a goalscorer. They have won two games in nine and scored 11.
