Manchester United 3 QPR 1
New manager Harry Redknapp watched from the stands as QPR produced a credible display despite suffering another defeat.
Jamie Mackie gave them a shock lead seven minutes into the second half, tapping in the loose ball after Kieron Dyer’s cross-shot had been parried by keeper Anders Lindegaard.
Manchester United hit back with three goals in the space of eight minutes – and yet again it was set pieces that proved to be Rangers’ undoing.
Jonny Evans applied the finishing touch from a yard out to equalise after Wayne Rooney’s corner had been headed down by Danny Welbeck.
And Darren Fletcher headed home another Rooney corner to put Sir Alex Ferguson’s men ahead.
Javier Hernandez made the game safe for United with a composed strike after Anderson had run at the wilting R’s defence.
Redknapp inherits a struggling side from Mark Hughes, whose team selection – made before he was fired on Friday morning – reflected the Welshman’s desire to get back to basics with the help of Rangers’ most trusted players.
Esteban Granero was dropped to the bench along with Anton Ferdinand, Junior Hoilett and Samba Diakite.
Stalwarts Clint Hill, Shaun Derry and Jamie Mackie were given starting places, while Stephane Mbia returned from a three-match ban and Dyer after his latest injury.
The changes had a noticeable effect, with Rangers much more solid than their thrown-together band of big-name signings have been so far this season.
A great last-ditch challenge by Derry thwarted Paul Scholes, while Robin van Persie and Ashley Young both fired wide as United dominated much of the first half.
Rangers threatened on the counter-attack and had the ball in the net when Mackie headed in from Djibril Cisse’s cross, but the effort was rightly ruled out for offside.
But there was no room for doubt when Mackie was on hand to open the scoring and stun Old Trafford.
Ferguson responded with a double change, sending on Hernandez and Anderson.
By the 68th minute his team were in front and in the 72nd they scored again, Hernandez finishing nicely after being set up by his fellow substitute.
QPR: Julio Cesar, Dyer, Hill, Nelsen, Mbia, Traore (Ferdinand 61), Derry, Faurlin (Granero 84), Mackie, Taarabt (Hoilett 73), Cisse.
Subs not used: Green, Diakite, Wright-Phillips, Ephraim.
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This post was last modified on 25/11/2012