Manager Louis van Gaal heard the first sounds of revolt from
United fans towards the end of a dismal first half when they called for
him to ditch his favoured 5-3-2 formation.
Van Gaal responded by introducing Marouane Fellaini for
Juan Mata at the start of the second half and the giant Belgian
answered the call by putting United ahead with an emphatic finish.
The goal was harsh on QPR after England prospect
Charlie Austin - watched from the directors' box by manager Roy Hodgson -
twice brought fine saves out of United keeper David de Gea before the
interval.
United's confidence increased with that goal and with
QPR pressing in desperation for an equaliser, substitute James Wilson
secured the three points with the second on the break in the dying
seconds.
It was the perfect response by United, although
recalled striker Radamel Falcao failed to score, twice being thwarted by
QPR keeper Robert Green.
The pre-match talk had been that Redknapp's job at QPR
would be in jeopardy if they lost, but this was not the performance of a
team that had lost belief in its manager. Results, however, are all and
this defeat keeps QPR firmly in the relegation zone.
Falcao's future has also been the subject of debate
this week after Van Gaal left him out of the squad for the loss against
Southampton - but the Colombian striker was back here and wasted an
early chance to impress his manager.
He made space in the area to collect Mata's pass but could only shoot straight at QPR keeper Green from eight yards.
Austin has taken on the role of QPR's main hope of
salvation this season - and he accepted that responsibility by bringing
the best out of De Gea with two right-foot volleys showing good
technique and accuracy.
With the interval approaching there was unrest among
United's followers, with chants of "4-4-2" and "attack, attack, attack"
in the face of a performance lacking any creativity.
Van Gaal acted and removed Mata to introduce Fellaini
at the start of the second half, also reverting to a more orthodox back
four.
Their play immediately carried greater threat and it
took a brilliant flying save from Green to turn away Falcao's header
when he seemed certain to nod in Angel Di Maria's cross.
It was not long before United were ahead as Van Gaal's
decision to bring on Fellaini brought the perfect reward, the Belgian
powering home his finish after Antonio Valencia had been played in by
Wayne Rooney's clever pass.
QPR's threat had diminished but a breakdown in
communication between Michael Carrick and Marcos Rojo on the halfway
line presented them with an opportunity that was wasted by Eduardo
Vargas. The United pair left each other to it, allowing Vargas to race
clear but he refused to pass to the unmarked Austin and was crowded out.
Falcao continued to strive in vain for that elusive
goal, first being denied by Steven Caulker's slight touch and then just
failing to connect with another Wilson cross.
And it was Wilson who struck the final blow to deflate QPR and leave United buoyant once more.
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