Jamie Redknapp admitted he was stunned to be taught Manchester United are the Premier League’s in-form staff following their unconvincing victory over Luton.
Erik ten Hag’s aspect secured a much-needed 1-0 win earlier than the worldwide break, which means it’s now 12 factors from their final 5 Premier League video games stretching again to October 7.
This has been a chastening second season within the dugout for the Dutchman, with Wednesday’s 4-3 Champions League defeat in Copenhagen making it 9 defeats in simply 17 matches.
United might ill-afford one other shock as Luton got here to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, when a combination of poor ending and wonderful goalkeeping by Thomas Kaminski pissed off the hosts.
Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford all had good possibilities, however ultimately defender Victor Lindelof was the unlikely match-winner in a slender Premier League triumph.
“You’d have never guessed they’re the Premier League’s in-form team,” Redknapp instructed Sky Sports. “It’s like a soap opera there. Every single week, there’s a problem on or off the sector.
“It would not really feel like they’re in good type, and the Champions League end result was a dangerous one for them. You’ve acquired to construct again slowly.
“Erik ten Hag has been under a lot of pressure and his side have not been playing well. Hojlund just can’t seem to get that break in the Premier League like he has in the Champions League.
“But I feel that simply reveals you, typically you may take a look at how a supervisor is beneath strain and it would then really feel the outcomes have not been there, however the performances have not deserved them – if that is sensible.”
It’s like a soap opera there. Every single week, there’s a problem on or off the sector.
Man Utd’s final 5 Premier League outcomes
- Saturday October 7: Brentford (H) Won 2-1
- Saturday October 21: Sheff Utd (A) Won 2-1
- Sunday October 29: Man City (H) Lost 3-0
- Saturday November 4: Fulham (A) Won 1-0
- Saturday November 11: Luton Town (H) Won 1-0
Lack of centre-forward targets a fear?
Twelve of Man Utd’s 13 league targets have been by non-forwards
Kaminski was a powerful final line of defence all through for Luton and unfold himself nicely to stop Hojlund scoring his first Premier League purpose from a deflected Marcus Rashford cross.
It means 12 of United’s 13 league targets this season have come from non-forwards.
“If you’re going to win titles, you need goals from your forwards,” added Redknapp. “If you take a look at Erling Haaland at Manchester City. Strikers have to be feared however I do see a participant in Hojlund. I like his motion and he was unfortunate to not rating towards Luton. It got here off his knee or his hip.
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Despite successful 1-0 towards Luton, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag bemoaned his aspect’s lack of killer intuition in entrance of purpose
“He tried to react and improvise. It just hasn’t happened for him but when he gets one, he’ll get two, three and it will start to come.
“He’s acquired tempo and he would not look fazed by enjoying for Manchester United. He simply wants that little little bit of luck within the Premier League.”
Ten Hag: Goals will come for Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund reacts after lacking a probability to attain for Man Utd towards Luton
Ten Hag says United want to begin making life simpler for themselves.
“We could have made life more easy if you score goals, but we create many chances,” the United boss stated. “First half, I observed four 100 per cent chances. If you get the first then you get the second, it becomes more easy.
“But in the event you do not rating, then you realize they can at all times drop a ball within the field and also you are in bother. So we needed to battle to the tip and it is perhaps not the prettiest, however I’m glad we created many possibilities.”
Asked if the lack of a cutting edge is a confidence issue, Ten Hag said: “I do not suppose it’s significantly a confidence factor as a result of Hojlund scored 5 targets within the Champions League.
It simply hasn’t occurred for him however when he will get one, he’ll get two, three and it’ll begin to come.
“He came full of confidence into this game and it will come. Rashford scored 30 goals last season. Obviously he’s now not scoring but there will come a day he starts scoring again.
“I feel the opposite offensive gamers like Garnacho, they are able to scoring targets, so it is going to come. But what is nice, we have already got 13 completely different goalscorers in our staff, so it expresses the way in which we need to play soccer.
“Everyone is attacking, everyone is defending, and also defenders with us can score goals.”
Ten Hag can be hoping this victory didn’t come at too nice a value, with Hojlund and Christian Eriksen limping off and requiring additional evaluation as soon as their respective points have settled down.
Victor Lindelof is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring Manchester United’s successful purpose towards Luton
The United boss can be hoping the Danish duo are accessible in a fortnight’s time when they return from the worldwide break with a Premier League journey to Everton.
It is a match Ten Hag will serve a touchline ban for after gathering his third reserving of the season in stoppage time.
“So it was about a moment so clear, a throw-in, but it was the second time,” the United supervisor added.
“I was on top of it. It was so clear and obvious our ball. It was my remark, so therefore I got booked.
Lindelof celebrates after giving Manchester United the lead
“We have a very competent coaching staff and they will take over of course [at Everton]. Until a certain point I can be involved but, as I say, my coaching staff is very competent.”
United head into November’s break on 21 factors from 12 matches – a maybe stunning return given their poor performances thus far.
Ten Hag’s aspect can be determined to kick on after the internationals, as will Luton after successful only one match since promotion through the play-offs.
Ten Hag simply surviving at Man Utd
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Sky Sports News reporter Pete Stevenson displays on Manchester United’s slim 1-0 Premier League victory over Luton Town
Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell:
Manchester United had £232m value of expertise on the bench towards Luton at Old Trafford, whereas the guests’ beginning XI cannot have value greater than £10m to assemble.
That wasn’t mirrored within the scoreline as Erik ten Hag’s aspect didn’t persuade but once more.
Despite greater than £325m being spent on the beginning line-up, they hobbled over the road after struggling to attain previous a aspect that are but to maintain a clear sheet within the Premier League.
The misfiring forwards will concern Ten Hag, who hasn’t seen one in every of his attackers rating within the league since Marcus Rashford’s purpose at Arsenal on September 3.
United have needed to discover targets from different sources however are one of many league’s type groups after 4 wins from 5 video games, which retains them nearby of their rivals.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Luton
The doom and gloom has been all-consuming at Old Trafford this season, however Ten Hag goes into the worldwide break on steadier floor. Saturday’s win takes him to 30 wins in his first 50 league video games, making him the quickest to succeed in this milestone at Man Utd.
Perhaps some perspective about Ten Hag’s achievements is required after months of questions on his suitability for the position. He’s endured terrible luck with accidents, an unsettled possession scenario and a distinctive set of dressing room issues.
The Dutchman has proven he is a survivor. Now he must again up his discuss and get his staff enjoying once more.
Opta stats: Ten Hag’s record-breaking begin
- Erik ten Hag has gained 30 of his 50 Premier League video games accountable for Manchester United (D6 L12), which is probably the most wins of any Red Devils supervisor of their first 50 league video games accountable for the membership.
- Manchester United have gained every of their final 11 Premier League video games towards newly-promoted sides, their longest such run since successful 12 on the bounce between May 2011 and March 2013.
- Luton have conceded no less than as soon as in all 12 of their Premier League video games to this point (22 in whole), with solely Leicester having a longer wait for his or her first ever clear sheet within the competitors (a goalless draw with Blackburn of their nineteenth recreation again in December 1994).
- Only fellow newly-promoted sides Burnley (10) and Sheffield United (9) have misplaced extra Premier League video games this season than Luton (8).
What’s subsequent?
After the worldwide break, Manchester United return with a journey to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday November 26, reside on Super Sunday on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.
Man Utd’s subsequent 5 Premier League video games
- Sunday November 26: Everton (A), reside on Sky Sports, 4.30pm
- Saturday December 2: Newcastle (A), 8pm
- Wednesday December 6: Chelsea (H), 8.15pm
- Saturday December 9: Bournemouth (H), 3pm
- Sunday December 17: Liverpool (A), reside on Sky Sports, 4.30pm
Meanwhile, Luton are again in motion on Saturday November 25. they host Crystal Palace at Kenilworth Road; kick-off 3pm.
