United cruise at Loftus Road

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Micheal Carrick gave United three points away against QPR, temporarily pushing them up to first place in the Premier League table.

United started the game positively, with their first attack leading to their first goal. Wayne Rooney started the move, playing the ball to Antonio Valencia on the right flank. Valencia crossed the ball back in for Rooney to finish with his head.


United were dominating the early proceedings, with Rangers keeper Cerny having to rush out to stop Danny Welbeck in the 3rd minute.


QPR's first chance came through a Joey Barton corner in the 6th minute. However, Helgusson's free header went wide.


The Hoops had a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 16th minute, when Mackie got past Evra and played the ball to Bothroyd. However, the forward failed to control his shot and sent the ball flying over the bar from 15 yards out.


Phil Jones was next to try his luck in the 22nd minute, but his tight angled shot went well wide.


United had an excellent chance to increase their lead in the 28th minute after Jonny Evans hit bar from four yards out following a corner by Nani. They had another chance in the very next minute, but Cerny's legs kept Jones' shot out.


Two minutes later, Nani's cross found its way to Rooney whose shot was blocked. The ball fell to Valencia who's thunderous shot was pushed over the bar by an alert Cerny to deny United again.


QPR had another chance in the 33rd minute, when Traore's cross found its way to Bothroyd, but the latter's volley missed the goal by miles.


The last attack of the half came from the home side, with Bothroyd taking a powerful shot across the face of goal. A touch from Mackie would have sent the crowd into raptures.


United started off the second half as positively as the first, and got their reward in the 56th minute. This time it was an error by Joey Barton, who gave the ball directly to Carrick, leaving the United midfielder with nothing to do than run into the box and pick his spot.


Rooney was having a great game, feeding Danny Welbeck in the 63rd minute, who in turn cut in and curled a shot destined for the top corner. It was only Cerny's incredible reactions that kept the Hoops in the game.


Evans hit the post again in the 64th minute through another corner, with United looking eager to put the game out of doubt.


Four minutes later, it was Phil Jones who was denied by the upright, after curling in a fantastic shot that had the QPR keeper well and truly beaten.


QPR had a chance to pull one back in the 74th minute, when Taraabt squared a ball for DJ Campbell only for the substitute to fire wide.


The scoreline remained the same when the referee blew the whistle, taking United to 39 points in 16 games and putting pressure on Manchester City in the title race.