The pressure continues to build on Erik ten Hag ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Luton Town at Old Trafford this Saturday.
Ten Hag’s future as the Red Devils boss remains in doubt, with his side continuing their dismal start to the season in midweek.
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United were beaten 4-3 by Copenhagen in the Champions League, leaving their knockout qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
That result dampened spirits once again as they failed to build on a much-needed win against Fulham in the Premier League last weekend.
And now they head into another crucial fixture, this time coming up against Luton who picked up a hard-fought point against Liverpool last time out.
Manchester United vs Luton Town: Old Trafford woes
Man United have lost their last two games at Old Trafford in all competitions.
They were beaten 3-0 at home by bitter rivals Man City in the derby before losing to the same scoreline against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
If Ten Hag’s side are to lose again this weekend, it will be the first time the club has lost three home games in a row in over 60 years.
In total, United’s home form is their worst ever in the Premier League, losing five this season which is their most after 10 games in all competitions since the 1930s.
The club have never lost six home games in their first 11 at home in a single campaign before, meaning they can break an unwanted record on Saturday.
Alan Brazil says that he’s heard Manchester United have set a deadline for Erik ten Hag to turn things around at the club
- This is the first league meeting between Man Utd and Luton since April 1992 (a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road), and the first at Old Trafford since a 5-0 Man Utd win in September 1991.
- Luton are winless in 11 meetings with Man Utd in all competitions (D2 L9) since a 2-1 home win in March 1987. This is their first game against them since a 3-0 home loss in the League Cup in September 2020.
Manchester United vs Luton Town: Team news
Jonny Evans could be ruled out of this clash after coming off injured in the first half against Copenhagen on Wednesday evening.
Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane are both fit to take his place if needed.
United still have a long list of players sidelined though, with Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo out.
Marcus Rashford was sent off in Denmark but of course, that suspension only counts in Europe, meaning he is available to play this weekend.
As for Luton, Tahith Chong will return to face his former club for the first time along with fellow United academy product Teden Mengi.
Defenders Mads Andersen, Reece Burke and Dan Potts are expected to miss out while Amari’i Bell and Albert Sambi Lokonga could be fit.
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- Since losing their first ever home league game against Luton in 1897, Manchester United have now won their last 18 against the Hatters, a run stretching back to 1899; in English Football League history, only Everton against Fulham (22, 1961-2018) and Coventry against Norwich (19, 1937-1979) have had longer winning home runs against a side.
Manchester United vs Luton Town: What has been said?
talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor believes Man United fans were deceived by the signing of defender Raphael Varane.
Varane joined the club in 2021 from Real Madrid and Agbonlahor has been unimpressed by the Frenchman since his arrival.
The Aston Villa legend told the Breakfast Show following United’s midweek defeat: “There is a reason now why Varane is not starting and Jonny Evans and Maguire are starting.
“I called it months ago that Varane is not the player Manchester United fans think he is.
“He has had an amazing career at Real Madrid, they don’t let players go.
“They let Casemiro and Varane go because they are not at the top anymore, and yesterday showed.
“He [Varane] came on and did not know where he was. He could have given away a penalty when he came on, but Maguire did.
“The last goal he is nowhere to be seen, and Dalot’s defending for the third goal, against at the far post poor defending.”
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- Luton’s only Premier League victory so far has come away from home, beating Everton 2-1 in September (D3 L7). The Hatters are also yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition, with only Leicester in 1994 conceding in their first 12 Premier League matches (first 18).
- Only Arsenal and Liverpool (8 each) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season than Luton (7), with their seven goals in this timeframe accounting for 70% of their total goals this term.
Manchester United vs Luton Town: How to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, November 11.
Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 3pm.
The match will not be broadcast live on TV in the UK due to the 3pm blackout rule.
talkSPORT will keep you updated will all the action.
And talkSPORT.com will be running a live blog of the game.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.