Solksjaer warns United to expect a 'confident' Luton side at Kenilworth Road

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has warned his side to expect to come up against a Luton Town team full of confidence in the Carabao Cup at Kenilworth Road this evening.

The Hatters have made a brilliant start to the season, with four straight wins, six in total if you count the final two games from last term.

While Town were beating Derby County 2-1 on Saturday, United suffered an opening day Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Ahead of the contest, Solksjaer told the Reds official website: "They’ve started really well and finished last season really well as well.

“They have, of course, beaten Norwich and Reading to get there in the cup and beaten Barnsley and Derby in the league as well.

“It’s a team with confidence and they’re playing Man United, of course it will be a big game for them.

“But it’s a big game for our players, the ones who get a chance, as they need to show they are ready to be called upon.

“Cup games are cup games, of course.

"Luton have got their style, Nathan Jones has come back now after doing so well with them and getting them promoted.

“They’re a team that’s direct with high intensity, aggressive and, of course, strong set-plays.

"You worry when you play teams with centre-backs that are, well, a bigger size than me anyway.”

With Town already having had four games under their belts to United’s one, Solksjaer felt it gave the Hatters an obvious edge in terms of match sharpness.

He continued: “Of course, we need four or five games to get up to the standard we know we’re capable of.

“We haven’t had an opportunity to get those games in and we have to make sure, in these games, we get the minutes and make the players ready to start competing in the league again.

“Brighton away (on Saturday) is going to be a very tough one so we’ll use this one (for minutes). We want to get through, but it’s also minutes for a few.”

With both sides expected to make changes this evening, it could see ex-United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe in action against his old club and former reserve team manager in Solksjaer.

The Norwegian added: "I noticed he wasn’t in the squad this latest league game. Hopefully he’s not injured and hopefully we’ll see Ryan.

“I had him in the reserves and I’m glad to see he’s having a career.

"He was always an attacking midfielder, going from box to box, and it’s always good to see them back.

“The Academy is fantastic, from when we get them in at an early age, we make sure they get careers as well.

“Ryan was close to making it here but it just didn’t happen for him. I’m happy to see the likes of him and other players make good careers somewhere else.”