(Football news) Manchester United are currently six points behind the top four in the table in eighth place, while the Hatters are currently in 17th position, just above the relegation zone due to goal differential.

It has been a disastrous season for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, who have lost nine of their first 17 games of the season for the first time since 1973–74. Drama seems to follow Man United everywhere they go.

The Red Devils temporarily halted the rot last weekend with a late-gasp 1-0 victory against Fulham in the Premier League, following devastating 3-0 home losses to Newcastle United and Manchester City. But after losing 4-3 to Copenhagen in an exciting group-stage match on Wednesday, Ten Hag and company have now suffered a severe setback in their attempt to advance to the Champions League’s round of sixteen.

Rasmus Hojlund’s two early goals gave Manchester United the upper hand in Denmark, but immediately after Marcus Rashford was sent off, they were reduced to 2-2 at the break. The Red Devils were then given a second lead by Bruno Fernandes’ penalty kick, but Ten Hag’s team faltered and let up two goals before Roony Bardghji, then 17 years old, scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute.

With just two Champions League games left, Man United—who have already conceded three or more goals seven times this season—is in the bottom spot in Group A and will have to work hard to finish in the top two. Their opponents are Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, both of whom have already defeated the Red Devils.

The strain is still building on Ten Hag’s shoulders as Luton, who have lost all 11 of their previous encounters with the Red Devils in all competitions, is the opponent in United’s last game before the international break. Ten Hag cannot afford another loss.

Man United has not lost three straight games at Old Trafford since October 1962. Coming into Saturday’s match, they had already lost five of their 10 home games in all competitions this season, which is their highest total since 1930–31 (also five).

As Luton looks to improve on their superb 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Kenilworth Road last weekend, they will be inspired by the possibility of taking down a big opponent at the Theatre of Dreams.

After his father was abducted, Luis Diaz made an emotional comeback to the Liverpool team in the 95th minute, forcing both teams to share the spoils. Former Manchester United player Tahith Chong thought he had won it all for the Hatters when he scored his first-ever Premier League goal ten minutes from time.

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