Half-time: QPR 0 Man Utd 1

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Rafael scored a stunning goal and then cleared off the line to leave Manchester United in front at the interval at Loftus Road.

After Julio 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 most of the first half on the back foot.

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

Rangers did manage a spell of pressure and were denied an equaliser when Chris Samba’s goal-bound header from Esteban Granero’s corner was met by Rafael at the far post.

The outstanding Rafael was then 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 Ryan Giggs’ cross.

QPR (4-4-2): Cesar, Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore; Townsend, Granero, Mbia, Taarabt; Mackie, Zamora.
Subs: Green, Park, Wright-Phillips, Onuoha, Jenas, Remy, Hoilett.

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