Much-needed win for embattled Man U manager

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

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 in the Premier League on Saturday that should hold back 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 have now won four of their 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 are three points off fourth-place Liverpool, having played a game more. Liverpool play 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 been periods in the past 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 their 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 their first 11 games before the win against Luton.

Having spent 248 days at the top of the standings last season – and finishing second – Arsenal have the summit in their sights again.

A 3-1 win against Burnley moved Mikel Arteta’s team level on points with first-place Manchester City. Defending champion City have the chance to move three points clear if they win against 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 Fabio Vieira being sent off late on.

Josh Brownhill briefly evened the score in the second half, but a sixth straight defeat means Burnley could be bottom of the table by the end of the weekend if Sheffield United avoids a loss against Brighton on Sunday.

Newcastle have now suffered back-to-back losses in all competitions after beating Arsenal last week. Defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League was followed by a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth in the league, Dominic Solanke scoring both goals for the home side.

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 their 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.

Yesterday’s Results

Bournemouth 2-0 Newcastle

Man U 1-0 Luton

Wolves 2-1 Tottenham

Palace 2-3 Everton

Arsenal 3-1 Burnley