QPR 0, MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Radamel Falcao draws a blank on his return to United team
Reshuffle by Louis Van Gaal in the second half
Goals by Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson earn United a laboured victory
Manchester United had to wait until injury time to confirm victory at Loftus Road over Queens Park Rangers with second half goals by Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson.
After further formation shuffles by Louis Van Gaal who admitted he had to change things around during the game, United continued to be ponderous despite pushing Angel Di Maria into a forward role alongside the returning Radamel Falcao who failed to impress after being left out of the team that lost to Southampton last week.
Behind them was Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata with Michael Carrick anchoring midfield and Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia running the flanks as wing-backs.
Despite all the changes, it was David De Gea who was the busier ‘keeper in the first period, with a pair of saves to deny Charlie Austin as England manager Roy Hodgson watched while Eduardo Vargas’ looping header landed on the top of De Gea’s net.
Falcao could have twice opened the scoring in the first half but was denied by Robert Green both times.
It required some second half changes for United to regain a sense of composure and shape with Fellaini replacing Mata at half time.
Valencia’s crossing had been variable but he finally found a team mate with a great centre and Fellaini took one touch and placed the ball beyond Green.
The Reds eventually reverted to a flat back four and pushed up with a diamond in midfield by the time Wilson came on for Jonny Evans.
Protecting a 1-0 lead was always going to keep United on their toes, however, and Vargas blew a golden chance to level the scores while De Gea made another save from Mauricio Isla.
QPR were desperate to salvage something from the game and committed more into attack but this only allowed United to finally finish them off after Di Maria’s pass released Wilson who poked home at the second attempt.