Erik ten Hag calls on Man United to be ‘100% focused’ against Luton in EPL

LONDON – The heat is on Manchester United and their manager Erik ten Hag knows it all too well.

The Red Devils’ late

1-0 English Premier League victory at Fulham

last weekend eased a little pressure on the Dutchman.

But he found himself immediately back under the microscope on Wednesday, after

losing 4-3 at FC Copenhagen

in the Champions League despite at one stage leading 2-0 through Rasmus Hojlund’s double.

Anything less than victory against lowly Luton Town in their league clash at Old Trafford on Saturday will have the alarm bells ringing again for the United boss, who knows what is at stake.

“I think they have had some good performances and results,” ten Hag said on Friday of their opponents.

“We’re aware of that and there’s no easy game in the Premier League. You must be at your best and we have to be 100 per cent focused to win.

“It’s about the end result and we have to win every game, so we are very disappointed (with the loss to Copenhagen). But it’s always about a process, thinking about it and then managing the process, which is what I focus on.”

United are eighth in the league standings, six points behind the top four.

In all competitions, ten Hag’s men have suffered nine defeats in their opening 17 games for the first time since 1973-74.

While there have been numerous on-pitch and off-pitch issues at the club, former United midfielder Paul Scholes believes ten Hag still has some credit left after last season when the team finished third in the Premier League and won the League Cup.

“I think he has bought himself a little bit of time in that respect. He’s had a few injuries, but nine defeats in 17 games is not good enough,” he said.

Following the loss to Copenhagen, ten Hag said

that United are due a change in fortune

and they can ill-afford another setback on Saturday against Luton, who have not beaten the Red Devils in their last 11 meetings in all competitions.

However, United head into the match having already lost five home games this season, so they are not exactly huge favourites.

United have not lost three straight matches at Old Trafford since 1962 – they lost 3-0 to Manchester City and Newcastle United in their previous two home games – and ten Hag will be eager not to claim this unwanted record.

“I think we often proved we can, like (we won late) at Fulham, Brentford (2-1 victory), this team can overcome big setbacks,” he added.

The United boss will be without the injured Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia and Jonny Evans.

Ten Hag also gave an update on Mason Mount’s lack of playing time, despite the midfielder being one of the club’s new signings.

“He had some starts. But there are always reasons and sometimes, like the injury (he suffered at the start of the season) and other players doing well, then you have to wait for your time to play,” he said.

In the Luton camp, Rob Edwards’ men will be motivated by their

1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

The Hatters’ manager said he felt more “pride than disappointment” as his team climbed out of the bottom three.

They are now sitting in 17th and above Bournemouth on goal difference.

But he would know that he must improve on their five-game winless run if they are to stand a chance of staying in the English top flight.

“These lads stay upbeat pretty much all of the time anyway... even when we’ve had some difficult results,” he said.

“It’s important to try and stay level. A point against a top team – a good performance – but there is still lots we can be better on. (We need) to keep working hard.”

They will miss Mads Andersen, Reece Burke, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Daniel Potts and Jordan Clark. REUTERS