Manchester United 4 QPR 0
QPR were given their second thrashing in as many away league games, this time surrendering in a one-sided encounter at Old Trafford.
Goals from Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata did the damage and Rangers were lucky not to lose by an even greater margin.
They threw in the towel after Di Maria’s 24th-minute free-kick – his first goal since joining Manchester United.
Following a needless foul by Clint Hill, the Argentine whipped a great delivery in from the right flank that flashed past everyone, including keeper Rob Green, and into the far corner of the net.
Di Maria was also involved in United’s second, carrying the ball 50 yards before finding Rooney.
The England captain’s shot was blocked but Herrera pounced on the loose ball and belted home from near the edge of the penalty area.
Rooney fired past Green at his near post a minute before the break, taking full advantage after Steven Caulker was far too slow to challenge him.
And more diabolical defending led to Mata making it four on 58 minutes, the former Chelsea man finishing easily after being left totally unmarked to collect Di Maria’s scuffed shot.
QPR, also beaten 4-0 at Tottenham, had got men behind the ball and managed to keep United at bay in the opening 20 minutes.
Rio Ferdinand, playing against the club he spent 12 years with, was given a rousing reception by the home fans and was presented with a special trinket by United legend Sir Bobby Charlton just before kick-off.
But Ferdinand and the rest of the visiting defence were soon under pressure as United, full of optimism after a number of eye-catching signings – Radamel Falcao came on in the second half – made a predictably high-tempo start to the game.
Rangers, without injured midfielders Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch, and with Sandro making his debut, barely threatened.
However, after going behind they were gifted a chance to equalise out of nothing.
David de Gea’s misjudgement left the United keeper in no man’s land, but Matt Phillips’ tame effort was easily cleared by Jonny Evans.
In the second half, Niko Kranjcar, making his first appearance since returning to Rangers on loan, saw an effort saved by De Gea after being set up by substitute Armand Traore.
If there was a crumb of comfort for Rangers, it was perhaps the performance of Eduardo Vargas, who looked lively after coming off the bench for his debut and sent a shot narrowly wide.
Otherwise, it was another dismal showing by Harry Redknapp’s side – and another cause for concern may be an apparent injury to Sandro, who went off with 17 minutes left.
QPR: Green; Isla, Caulker, Ferdinand, Hill (Traore 45); Sandro (Henry 73), Kranjcar, Fer; Phillips, Hoilett; Austin (Vargas 59).
Subs not used: McCarthy, Zamora, Onuoha, Taarabt.
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This post was last modified on 15/09/2014