United v QPR Preview

After two consecutive defeats, Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking at getting the show back on the road when struggling Queens Park Rangers visit Old Trafford this Saturday. Having sacked Mark Hughes, on the eve of this fixture, could it be a bedraggled outfit that turns up to face United or an outfit keen to prove a point for their former manager?

Ahead of the important clash Michael Carrick has spoken, to the media, about our continuing trait of conceding first, a trait that has cost us dearly in our last two games, with the midfielder commenting,

"That showed at Norwich."

"We conceded the first goal and it was difficult to come back, and again against Galatasaray."

"Over the season we have managed to do it, but it Is not ideal and you can`t do it all the time."

"We need to make thing s a lot easier for ourselves by scoring the first goal."

"It`s not ideal and it`s just a phase we`re going through. The positive is that we have come back and we have scored enough goals, although not on Saturday, so we have got things to improve upon."

"It`s important to bounce back. We were disappointed with the result against Galatasaray, but we are in a good position in the group."

"Norwich was disappointing too. We are normally good at bouncing back and after losing two games we will look to do that on Saturday."

Against a struggling Queens Park Rangers side, that`s something we should be able to do isn`t it?

Sir Alex Ferguson, able to rest several of his normal starting eleven in midweek against Galatasaray, will be hoping that no further injuries have been picked up in midweek.

Definitely side-lined through injury are Nemanja Vidic and Shinji Kagawa, however, we expect that Wayne Rooney and David De Gea, both of whom missed the defeat at Carrow Road, will return. Jonny Evans is back in training but the game will come too soon to risk a return.

Sir Alex Ferguson also has the added bonus of being able to call upon Phil Jones who came through a 90 minute test in midweek.

The Dutchman will be looking to get back to scoring ways after drawing a blank at Carrow Road last time out.

Queens Park Rangers arrive at Old Trafford without a manager, with Mark Hughes being sacked on the eve of the fixture.

Their chances of pulling off a much-needed victory have been hampered by the fact that they are unable to field Fabio, who is on loan from us. However, United supporters may get the chance to welcome back Ji-Sung Park.

On the injured list are the former Fulham striking duo of Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson with the former being out for a reputed three months after a hip operation.

The centre back will be keen to put on a show and out-do his big brother.

Queens Park Rangers have a poor record against Manchester United, in the Premier League. In the last ten occasions the clubs have met United have won 8 and drawn 2

Overall, the clubs have met 50 times with United winning 30 times to the 6 of Queens Park Rangers.

Our officials for this fixture are:- Referee - Lee Probert Assistant - S. Beck Assistant - S. Child Fourth Official - G. Eltringham

Although we`ve lost our last two games, I reckon if we lose against Queens Park Rangers it`ll be a bigger shock than when Dennis Bailey strolled into Old Trafford back in January 1992 and helped himself to a hat-trick. This one has got 'comfortable United win` written all over and I reckon by a three goal margin!

Our next fixture sees us entertain West Ham United on Wednesday evening in a Premier League match.

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