Jamie Redknapp admitted he was shocked to study Manchester United are the Premier League’s in-form workforce following their unconvincing victory over Luton.
Erik ten Hag’s facet secured a much-needed 1-0 win earlier than the worldwide break, that 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United may ill-afford one other shock as Luton got here to Outdated Trafford on Saturday afternoon, when a mix of poor ending and positive goalkeeping by Thomas Kaminski pissed off the hosts.
Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford all had good probabilities, 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 activities. “It is like a cleaning soap opera there. Each single week, there’s a problem on or off the sector.
“It does not really feel like they’re in good type, and the Champions League end result was a nasty one for them. You have 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.
“However I feel that simply exhibits you, generally you’ll be able to have a look at how a supervisor is underneath stress and it would then really feel the outcomes have not been there, however the performances have not deserved them – if that is sensible.”
Lack of centre-forward targets a fear?
Kaminski was a powerful final line of defence all through for Luton and unfold himself effectively to forestall 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. “In case you have a look at Erling Haaland at Manchester Metropolis. Strikers should 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.
“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 is obtained tempo and he does 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
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.
“However for those who do not rating, then they’ll all the time drop a ball within the field and you might be in hassle. So we needed to battle to the tip and it is perhaps not the prettiest, however I’m completely satisfied we created many probabilities.”
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.
“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’re able to scoring targets, so it’s going to come. However what is sweet, we have already got 13 totally different goalscorers in our workforce, so it expresses the best way we wish to play soccer.
“Everyone is attacking, everyone is defending, and also defenders with us can score goals.”
Ten Hag might 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.
The United boss might be hoping the Danish duo can be found in a fortnight’s time once they return from the worldwide break with a Premier League journey to Everton.
It’s a match Ten Hag will serve a touchline ban for after amassing 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.
“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 up to now.
Ten Hag’s facet might be determined to kick on after the internationals, as will Luton after profitable only one match since promotion by way of the play-offs.
Ten Hag simply surviving at Man Utd
Sky Sports activities’ Zinny Boswell:
Manchester United had £232m value of expertise on the bench towards Luton at Outdated Trafford, whereas the guests’ beginning XI cannot have price greater than £10m to assemble.
That wasn’t mirrored within the scoreline as Erik ten Hag’s facet didn’t persuade but once more.
Regardless of greater than £325m being spent on the beginning line-up, they hobbled over the road after struggling to attain previous a facet which might be but to maintain a clear sheet within the Premier League.
The misfiring forwards will concern Ten Hag, who hasn’t seen considered one 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 close by of their rivals.
The doom and gloom has been all-consuming at Outdated 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 achieve this milestone at Man Utd.
Maybe some perspective about Ten Hag’s achievements is required after months of questions on his suitability for the function. He is endured terrible luck with accidents, an unsettled possession state of affairs and a novel set of dressing room issues.
The Dutchman has proven he is a survivor. Now he must again up his speak and get his workforce 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 Crimson 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 profitable 12 on the bounce between Could 2011 and March 2013.
- Luton have conceded a minimum of as soon as in all 12 of their Premier League video games thus far (22 in whole), with solely Leicester having an extended 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).
- Solely 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 visit to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday November 26, dwell on Tremendous Sunday on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 4.30pm.
In the meantime, Luton are again in motion on Saturday November 25. they host Crystal Palace at Kenilworth Street; kick-off 3pm.