Manchester United are on quite the roll in the Premier League now, with Erik ten Hag’s men securing their fourth consecutive win in the league on Sunday evening.
Luton Town made sure to challenge United all the way till the end but despite a nervy ending, the Reds leave Kenilworth Road with all three points as they close the gap between themselves and the Champions League places.
After being seemingly out of the race for a seat at Europe’s fine dining table a month ago, United are well in the race as just five points separate themselves and Aston Villa in fourth place.
A fifth-placed finish could also give qualification for next season’s Champions League this year, with Tottenham currently occupying that spot, sitting three points clear of United.
United’s latest win came after Rasmus Hojlund continued his red-hot streak by scoring a seven-minute brace at Luton, with the Danish international now scoring seven goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag delivered his post-match verdict.
“I think quick up and, as you say, we had good chances with Garnacho and Rashford, it could have been three or four-nil,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the BBC.
“After that we lose some focus and we are not so strict in what we should do and they came more in the game. We dropped too deep and allowed them too many passes.
“We gave some chances away and they got the 2-1. That’s no good. But after half-time we picked it up. We had several chances. So many chances one against one. I think it was Garnacho, Rashford again, it was Bruno Fernandes. We had so many chances, it should be 3-1 in these moments.
“Their goal brought the pressure on. They had crosses into the box and shots, but not the chances we had. We had big chances and with our abilities, we should have scored.
“It can always happen, a cross or a corner, you can concede if you don’t execute the 3-1.
“We make the progress but also you see we have to stay focused during the whole game. I will not say switch off, but when you do a little bit less, than you get punished.
“We can’t afford this. We have to be all-time 100% focused. Do your job together, in and out of possession and then you can control your games. What could have been an easy win was now a difficult win.”
United will aim to extend their winning streak to five games next weekend when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.
The lack of European football in the second half of the season will allow Ten Hag to work in greater detail with his players during the week, with less focus being put on rehab.
Hopefully, there will be positive news on the injury front between now and then as well. Ten Hag confirmed that Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia are a few weeks away from returning but there will be news on Luke Shaw, who withdrew from the game at Luton with a complaint.
Sorry, everyone: my fault. Having cashed in in record time with over 2.5 goals, I slapped another tenner on over 4.5. With the vast majority of the match still to be played it seemed a decent bet. Still no idea how it finished only 2-1☹️