Match Review: QPR 0-2 Manchester United

A terrific volley from Rafael in the first half and an astute finish by Ryan Giggs in the final minutes of the second half earned Manchester United a victory at Loftus Road on Saturday evening against a relegation threatened Rangers side.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Rafael of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United at Loftus Road on February 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

The United boss rang changes to the side that beat Reading on Monday with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic forming the central defensive pair. Ryan Giggs started in central midfield while Nani’s impressive Cup performance earned him a starting place. Harry Redknapp, as he often does against stronger oppositions, went with one striker up front hoping Bobby Zamora’s physical presence would cause a few problems to the United defense which has looked shaky this season. New signing Chris Samba started in defense whereas Loic Remy took a place on the bench.

Early Half Chances

The first few minutes were a cagey affair with both sides closing each other down very fast in the midfield. The home side were prepared to get in their opponents’ faces and give them little time to get their passing game going. But United finally managed to gain a foothold in the game as first Nani and then Chicharito came close to scoring from headers. Chicharito adjusted his body brilliantly to head a Ashley Young cross and Julio Cesar was forced to tip the ball over the net. The Mexican came perilously close within minutes of the last effort as Nani’s early cross from the right was almost met by the striker.

The Goal

Rangers were not defending well in the first few minutes as man marking was clearly missing when Nani and Chicharito headed Young’s crosses unsuccessfully. So it was not overly surprising when United opened the scoring in the 23^rd minute through an unlikely agent – Rafael Da Silva. Van Persie found the ball on the edge of the box and drove past two defenders to shoot at Cesar with his right foot. The Brazilian goalkeeper could only manage to fist the ball away to as far as a galloping Rafael who took no time to unleash a half-volley from around 25 yards out which nestled in to the top right corner of Cesar’s net.

Van Persie’s injury – the only downside from United perspective

Van Persie went over and hit a cameraman by the touchline during the build up to the goal and got a bruised hip. The Premier League’s top scorer carried on for 18 more minutes after initial assessment by the medical staff but had to be soon withdrawn has he could be seen moving gingerly and holding his back often. But the Dutchman almost scored just prior to being taken off as Rafael’s floater from 60 yards out found Van Persie in space as his controlled volley was saved by a onrushing Cesar. All this came from a brilliant counter attack as Rafael, the man of the half certainly, cleared a Samba header off the line and sparked a typical United counter attack. His pass, which found Van Persie just inside the QPR box, could easily the contender for pass of the season.

Vidic vs Samba – a battle within the battle

The two physical defenders were entrusted with the job of marking each other in their respective penalty areas during set pieces. Samba did well against Vidic to almost get the Rangers’ equalizer as his header was cleared off the line by Rafael. Vidic did equally well on the other end as his movement inside the box was too quick for Samba but his header from Ryan Gigg’s free kick sailed wide of Cesar’s goal.

Redknapp looking for the equalizer

Redknapp brought on Jermaine Jenas in the beginning of the second half in place of Esteban Granero as Rangers’ struggled to find any invention in the midfield during the first forty-five minutes. But it was still United who started the second half the brighter. Sir Alex decided to introduce Wayne Rooney just around the hour mark as it was evident the Scotsman was not remotely interested in protecting the slender lead. Rooney replaced Chicharito, while former Marseille front man Loic Remy took Bobby Zamora’s place. Remy made instant impact as within minutes of coming on, as he forced David De Gea into his first save of the match.

Ryan Giggs extends lead

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United celebrates a goal with Wayne Rooney during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United at Loftus Road on February 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

But it was United which looked the likelier of the teams to score. Antonio Valencia came on for Ashley Young as Nani shifted to the left side of the midfield. The Portuguese slid one in for Ryan Giggs as the Welshman found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The United legend, who was playing in his 999^th international game, looked up once and shot past Cesar to seal the match and the three points for United. The number 11 came close once again as Valencia’s cross was delicately chipped over Cesar, but was unlucky to hit the bar.

Carrick with a rare bad game, M’Bia was Rangers’ best

Michael Carrick had a really off day by his standards as he quite often gave the ball away cheaply in the middle of the park. The pitch conditions were not helping his cause but it was unlike Carrick, one of United’s top performers this season so far, to have give the football away as many times he did. Stephane M’Bia was brilliant for Rangers as he broke down the play consistently for the home side. The Cameroonian was ever present in the QPR midfield put on a top class display for Redknapp’s team yesterday.