Saturday, December 17, 2011

| by

0

18.12. (Sun) 13:00 QPR - Manchester Utd

an Utd.
EPL,Wayne Rooney,Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Cerny
Traore, Hill, Gabbidon, Young
Faurlin, Derry, Barton
Wright-Phillips, Helguson, Bothroyd
MANCHESTER UNITED

De Gea
Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling
Nani, Carrick, Jones, Young
Rooney, Welbeck

The most glaring omission for the Hoops will be the ever-enigmatic Adel Taarabt who is still on the route to recovery from a thigh muscle strain. Similarly crocked are Paddy Kenny (thigh) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), while current goalscorer-in-chief Heidur Helguson faces a late fitness test of the groin problem that saw him miss out at Anfield.

It’s likely that Neil Warnock will plump for largely the same personnel who were narrowly edged out by Liverpool, with Shaun Derry coming in to provide extra cover in the middle. Sir Alex Ferguson also has a spate of injuries to contend with following the additional headaches supplied by the long-term absences of Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic. The duo join the Da Silva twins, Javier Hernandez, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov plus assorted others in the Carrington treatment room. With that in mind, it’s likely that United will give Phil Jones another chance to impress in midfield, as well as utilise the dual attacking threats of Nani and Ashley Young on either flank, with Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney up top.
 DID YOU KNOW?


  • Manchester United have hit the back of the net just once in each of their last three League games away from Old Trafford, clocking up three 1-0 results before this weekend.
  • Shaun Wright-Phillips (pictured right) has had more shots without getting on the scoresheet than any other Premier league player, failing to hit the back of the net in 32 attempts.
  • United are undefeated in their last 11 outings against QPR, winning eight of those meetings.
  • United have won just six of their last 21 Premier League games in London.
  • QPR have lost four of their last six Premier League games.
  • United have conceded 79 per cent of their goals in the second half - the highest proportion in the league.
  • Heidur Helguson has scored six goals in his last seven top-flight appearances.
  • QPR have never beaten Manchester United in the Premier League.
Prediction
A return to prolific form in front of goal against Wolves hardly suggests United are firing on all cylinders, yet they have too much clout to be worried by QPR. Helguson might cause Evans and Ferdinand a few problems but on the whole, I can't see this game going anyway other than an away win.
Editor's Prediction
QPR 1-2 Man Utd.