Manchester United 1-0 Luton Town (11 Nov, 2023) Game Analysis،
Defender Victor Lindelöf scored in the second half as struggling Manchester United breathed a collective sigh of relief with a 1-0 win over Luton Town in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag’s side, who have won back-to-back league matches after suffering their worst start since 1962, temporarily climbed two places to sixth in the table with 21 points after 12 matches.
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“It’s a good day,” Ten Hag told the BBC. We needed the win and we got it, but we could make life easier by scoring early and getting a second. We created chances but we didn’t score apart from one .I’m happy with that and I’m happy with the match. clean sheet.”
One negative was that Ten Hag received his third yellow card of the season, meaning a one-match suspension for the Dutch coach during United’s trip to Everton on November 26, after the international break.
Luton, who have just one league win in their first season in the top flight, are 17th.
United created numerous chances as they dominated the game before Lindelof broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, the Swede smashing home from 16 yards after Luton failed to clear Marcus Rashford’s cross.
“I don’t score a lot of goals and when I do it’s fun,” said Lindelof, who had not scored for United since the end of 2020.
“The most important thing was to get points and luckily we got that today.”
Victory in Ten Hag’s 50th match as United manager was a welcome boost for a team who have lost nine of their last 18 games in all competitions, been knocked out of the League Cup and are struggling in the Champions League after a 4-3 defeat in Copenhagen on Wednesday.
“I think we played well in the first half today. We kept the ball and we were patient,” Lindelof said. “We also created chances. After scoring, we dropped a bit and that’s what we need to improve: continue to control the game.
“It’s about getting results. We have to stay united and do our job.”
United enjoyed 64.4% possession on the day and Rasmus Hojlund, scorer of two goals against Copenhagen, almost scored early but the 20-year-old’s close-range effort hit his knee following the cross Rashford’s deflection was straight at goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
Hojlund had another good chance early in the second half, but his header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross went narrowly wide.
“Rasmus Hojlund has scored five times in the Champions League. He has confidence and the goals will come,” Ten Hag said of his young striker.
Luton, promoted to the Premier League this season after leaving non-league football a decade ago, could have earned a draw but left empty-handed and face a long battle to retain their elite status.
