EXCLUSIVE: Luton Town defender Teden Mengi insists his side can pile further pressure on Erik ten Hag as he makes his return to Man United on the back of impressive draw with Liverpool

• Teden Mengi impressed as Luton held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road 
• The defender returns to Old Trafford on Saturday to play former side Man United
• Why Luton are the team that can stay up from promoted clubs: It’s All Coming Up

Luton Town defender Teden Mengi believes his side can pile further pressure on Erik ten Hag this weekend as he prepares to make his first return to Manchester United.

The Premier League new boys were just minutes away from causing the biggest shock of the season so far on Sunday only for Luis Diaz’s injury-time goal to deny them a famous win over Liverpool.

Mengi was outstanding for Luton against Jurgen Klopp’s team and the central defender believes they can build on the result against United on Saturday.

‘It was a tough game as we expected against a very good Liverpool side, but I felt we more and held our own against them,’ he said.

‘We really should have won after being so close to victory, but in all honesty we would have taken a draw before the start of the game.

 Luton Town defender Teden Mengi was outstanding in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool

Mengi returns to Manchester United on Saturday after leaving for the Hatters in the summer

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‘It’s good for the confidence that we can cope at this level and we want to kick on from here.

‘The performance will give us confidence 100 percent going into Manchester United this weekend that we can get a result there and we will have no fear.

‘They have not been in great form of late and hopefully we can go there and cause them problems and get a result.’

Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford marks Mengi’s first return to United since leaving for Luton in the summer and he is determined to prove to everyone at the club he is capable of playing in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old came through the youth system at Old Trafford, representing the various age groups before progressing to the first-team, debuting for the club in August 2020.

Mengi made only two senior appearances for United spending time out on loan with Derby County and Birmingham City over the last few seasons.

Injuries hampered Mengi’s bid to establish himself at United, but the England U20 international always backed his ability to play regularly in the Premier League and he is taking that opportunity with Luton with a number of impressive displays for the Hatters.

‘It will be a special occasion [ to go back to United] and I want to prove to them and show everyone what I am capable of and that I can play at this level,’ added Mengi.

Mengi believes Luton can get another result against Manchester United and pile more pressure on Erik ten Hag (centre)

‘I have always backed my ability to perform the way I can, but unfortunately injuries have not been on my side.

‘I am really enjoying it at Luton and I am thankful they have given me the opportunity to play in the Premier League.’

Mengi has hailed the impact of Luton boss Rob Edwards on the club and believes he has instilled a family feel around the squad which could prove crucial in their fight to stay up.

‘He [Edwards] is so good to play under,’ noted Mengi.

‘His communication and application is spot-on and he has trust in all the players.

‘It is like a family within the squad, we are such a tight unit and are a humble group and that could be key in helping us stay up.’

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