Lindelof lifts the gloom to ease pressure on Ten Hag

MANCHESTER, England — Erik ten Hag can breathe a sigh of relief after Manchester United ended another difficult week on a winning note.

Victor Lindelof's goal secured a 1-0 win against Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday that should quieten 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 was three points off Jurgen Klopp's fourth-place Liverpool team, having played a game more. Liverpool was due to host 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 often been periods 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.

Hojlund toils

Life would be a lot easier for Ten Hag if striker Rasmus Hojlund could emulate his Champions League form in the Premier League.

He is still waiting for his first domestic goal after scoring five times in four appearances in Europe this season.

The $82 million summer signing from Italian side Atalanta missed two golden chances to open his account against Luton, prompting Ten Hag to complain about his team's wastefulness.

"First half, I observed four 100 percent chances. If you get the first, you get the second and it becomes easier," said the United manager. "But if you don't score, they can always drop a ball in the box and you are in trouble.

"So we had to fight to the end and it's maybe not the prettiest, but I am happy we created many chances."

Hojlund and midfielder Christian Eriksen both went off with injuries, with updates on the Danish duo's availability expected this week.

Arsenal ascends

Having spent 248 days at the top of the standings last season — and finishing second — Arsenal has the summit in its sights again.

A 3-1 win against Burnley moved Mikel Arteta's team level on points with first-place Manchester City. Defending champion City was due to face Chelsea on Sunday.

Leandro Trossard, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko saw Arsenal quickly recover from a first league defeat of the season against Newcastle last week, despite a late red card for Fabio Vieira.

Josh Brownhill briefly tied the score in the second half, but struggling Burnley slipped to a sixth straight defeat.

Spurs slump

The honeymoon is over for Ange Postecoglou after back-to-back losses for the first time as Tottenham manager.

Stoppage-time goals from Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina secured a 2-1 comeback win for Wolves that stopped Spurs from moving back to the top of the standings.

"It's part of the pain of football when things happen in those circumstances. You've just got to take it," Postecoglou said. "I can't fault the players' effort or commitment."

Postecoglou made league history by winning a hat-trick of manager of the month awards in his first three months in England's top flight after a 10-game unbeaten run. But the Wolves loss followed Monday's 4-1 defeat against Chelsea, which also saw Spurs concede two stoppage-time goals when down to nine men.

Magpies grounded

Newcastle has now suffered back-to-back losses in all competitions since it beat Arsenal.

A midweek defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League was followed by a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, with Dominic Solanke scoring both goals for the home side. That ended Newcastle's seven-match unbeaten league run.

Newcastle lost Miguel Almiron to what looked like another hamstring problem in the first half.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe was the Cherries manager the last time they beat Newcastle in 2017. Newcastle dropped to seventh while Bournemouth exited the relegation zone.

Agencies Via Xinhua