Leaders United add to Rangers’ woes

QPR 0 Manchester United 2

Ryan Giggs’ late goal sealed a comfortable victory for Manchester United at Loftus Road.

The veteran, making his 999th senior appearance, fired beyond Julio Cesar and into the far corner after being found by Nani.

QPR, bottom of the table and looking increasingly doomed, went behind to a cracking opener by Rafael, who then denied them an equaliser when he cleared off the line.

After Cesar had pushed out an effort from Robin van Persie, the brother of QPR’s on-loan United defender Fabio pounced on the loose ball and brilliantly smashed home from the edge of the area.

Rangers, with Bobby Zamora and Jose Bosingwa back in the starting line-up, spent much of the game on the back foot.

Prior to Rafael’s 24th-minute breakthrough, keeper Cesar tipped over Van Persie’s header from Ashley Young’s left-wing cross.

Rangers did manage a spell of pressure and went close to levelling when Chris Samba’s goal-bound header from Esteban Granero’s corner was met by Rafael at the far post.

The outstanding Rafael was soon in the thick of the action again, sprinting down the right and sending an excellent cross towards Van Persie, whose first-time shot was parried away by Cesar.

Mercifully for the home side, Van Persie was substituted four minutes before the break after being hurt in the build-up to Rafael’s goal.

United remained a threat, however, and Nemanja Vidic went close with a header from Giggs’ cross.

Rangers, who appealed in vain for a penalty after Adel Taarabt tangled with Michael Carrick, brought on big-money January signing Loic Remy on the hour mark.

Recently sidelined by a groin problem, Remy replaced the struggling Zamora, who picked up an ankle knock and continues to be affected by a long-standing hip complaint.

Remy made an immediate impact, cutting onto his right foot and testing David De Gea with a fierce shot the United keeper did well to palm to safety.

But that was a rare moment of concern for United, who doubled their lead with Giggs’ 80th-minute strike.

Giggs then hit the top of the bar with a chip from just outside the box.

QPR (4-4-2): Cesar, Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore; Townsend (Hoilett 72) Granero (Jenas 45), Mbia, Taarabt; Mackie, Zamora (Remy 60).
Subs not used: Green, Park, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips.

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