MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag can breathe a sigh of relief after his team ended another difficult week on a winning note.
Victor Lindelof’s goal secured a 1-0 win against Luton in the Premier League on Saturday that should hold back further speculation about Ten Hag’s future for now.
It wasn’t the most convincing performance from a United team that had lost 4-3 against Copenhagen in the Champions League in midweek. But three points lifted the spirits at Old Trafford after such a disappointing start to the season.
And despite losing nine games in all competitions this season, United has now won four of its last five games in the league to move within sight of the top four.
“We are in quite a good position. If you see all the trouble we had, we are in a very good position,” Ten Hag said.
United is three points off fourth place Liverpool, having played a game more. Liverpool plays Brentford on Sunday.
It was vital Ten Hag secured a win ahead of the upcoming international break, with questions raised about his position in recent weeks.
The September and October international windows have been periods in the past when clubs have looked to change their managers. While there has been no suggestion from United that Ten Hag’s job is in jeopardy, the defeat to Copenhagen left the club at the bottom of its Champions League group and in danger of being eliminated before the knockout stages. Domestically, a title challenge also looks unlikely after five defeats in the league in its first 11 games before the win against Luton.
