6 talking points as Man Utd ease pressure on Ten Hag thanks to unlikely hero
Unlikely hero Victor Lindelof eased the pressure on Erik ten Hag and gave Manchester United a much-needed 1-0 victory over Luton.
Lindelof, 29, struck just before the hour mark to make it back-to-back wins for United in the Premier League following last Saturday's dramatic 1-0 win away to Fulham. Luton, like in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool, did their best to trouble their opponents, but ultimately Ten Hag and co ran out worthy winners.
The result gives the Red Devils boss a chance to breathe over the international break and the pressure on Ten Hag's shoulders was illustrated when the Dutchman received an out-of-character yellow card in injury time. Most importantly, his team picked up a victory.
Here are six talking points from a relieved Old Trafford.
1. Ten Hag snubs Varane despite injury
When Jonny Evans hobbled off on Wednesday, on came a steely-eyed Raphael Varane to replace him at centre-back. Despite Copenhagen's four goals as United suffered another Champions League meltdown, most would've expected Varane to be named in Erik ten Hag's starting XI against Luton after it was confirmed that Evans would be miss the "next few weeks" with injury.
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But at 2pm it read Victor Lindelof's name instead, partnering Harry Maguire at the heart of defence as he did so frequently during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ill-fated reign. Lindelof has largely been used as a makeshift full-back this season but the Swede now appears to have sent Varane down to fifth in Ten Hag's centre-back pecking order - and possibly sixth when Luke Shaw returns from injury.
It's a remarkable slump for the four-time Champions League winner after forging a mean partnership with the currently injured Lisandro Martinez last season, but Ten Hag insists that there's "absolutely" no issue between him and Varane. Also missing from the team sheet was Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was absent out through illness, while £55million signing Mason Mount started on the bench once again.
Raphael Varane continues to be snubbed by Erik ten Hag (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)2. Hojlund's horror miss
After eight Premier League appearances without finding the back of the net, Rasmus Hojlund went into Saturday's match with a point to prove. After all, the Danish striker made it five goals in four Champions League games by scoring a double to put United 2-0 up against his former club on Wednesday.
With just 10 minutes on the clock, Hojlund was handed the perfect scoring chance after good work from Maguire and Marcus Rashford. The latter's cross took a slight deflection but the ball still found its way to Hojlund, who could only make contact with his knee and fire it towards the sprawling Thomas Kaminski, sprawling across his goal to make a fine save.
The Old Trafford crowd - some of whom made their way in late following another anti-Glazer pre-match protest - couldn't believe the 20-year-old's miss, but they know from his exploits in Europe that Hojlund has bags of potential.
Rasmus Hojlund somehow failed to open the scoring from close range (Getty Images)3. Eriksen adds to injury crisis
With Evans now joining Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Casemiro in the treatment room, the last thing that Ten Hag needed was another injury. Unfortunately for the Red Devils boss, Christian Eriksen limped off after 40 minutes and had to be replaced by Mount.
At one stage this season Ten Hag could've fielded a full XI of injured players. The way it's going, he might have enough for an 11-a-side match.
Mount was unable to help United breach Luton's low block, as the teams went in for half-time at 0-0. After Hojlund's sitter, the Red Devils had a smattering of half-chances through the likes of Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, but they were all off target. It was Luton who went closest to breaking the deadlock when a superb cross from right wing-back Issa Kabore found star striker Carlton Morris, whose header forced Andre Onana into a good save.
Christian Eriksen's injury now means that Manchester United now have six players absent (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))4. Lindelof repays Ten Hag
When Ten Hag made the decision to select Lindelof over Varane, he'll have been focussed on what the defender could do at one end of the pitch and not the other. But United's unlikely hero produced a cultured finish to put the Red Devils 1-0 up just before the hour mark, bringing a wave of relief over much of Old Trafford.
After their fifth corner of the game was partially clear, Mount picked up the pieces and fed Rashford in space on the right. The forward's low-driven cross only found Scott McTominay's heels as both sets of players were sucked towards the goalmouth, and the ball fell kindly to Lindelof for a composed strike past Kaminski.
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Victor Lindelof took his goal superbly to break the deadlock (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)5. Rashford continues his drought
As expected, Lindelof's strike ripped the game wide open and Luton became bolder on the ball which left space at the back. Fortunately for United, they were able take advantage with a series of opportunities, the best of which fell to Rashford after smart play from substitute Antony.
The England international, who was enjoying a decent all-round game, looked to have the perfect chance to end his 12-game goal drought at club level, having been controversially sent off in midweek. Rashford took a touch to set himself up for a shot, but with his head down fired his effort straight at Kaminski and gave the Hatters hope that they could still snatch something from the game.
Marcus Rashford was unable to score his first goal in 13 games for Manchester United (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Have your say! Where will Manchester United finish this season? Join the debate in the comments section.
6. Worry for Hojlund
Having extended his own Premier League goal drought to nine games, Hojlund might not get a chance to score for Denmark over the international break after coming off late on with a hamstring injury. The ex-Atalanta hotshot hobbled off in visible discomfort and was replaced by Anthony Martial before United saw out the narrow but deserved win.
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