Man Utd Match Centre

QPR vs Manchester United: Preview, Likely Line-up & Predicted Score

Manchester United travel to Loftus Road to play QPR tomorrow afternoon. Here’s a preview of the game with likely line-up and predicted score.

by
O-Posts
December 17, 2011

Manchester United travel to Loftus Road to play QPR tomorrow afternoon with more than usual to play for, as United know that a win will send them up to top spot for the first time since September 18th.

Leaders Man City lost on Monday night at Stamford Bridge which breathed new life in to the title race. United returned to form last week with the 4-1 thrashing of Wolves at Old Trafford, which saw Wayne Rooney and Nani return to form with two goals each. United are now on a 6 game unbeaten run.

QPR come into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, which shows how far they’ve come. With signings like Joey Barton, Armand Traore, Shaun Wright-Phillips and more, QPR have become a strong force and also have a win over Chelsea to boast about this season at home.

United have plenty of injury concerns including the most recent casualty Darren Fletcher joining the injury list. Fletcher has taken an extended break from football as he has been suffering from ulcerative colitis. Other injuries such as Nemanja Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, Anderson, Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez are testing United’s strength in depth to the limit. However, some good news is that last seasons top scorer Dimitar Berbatov has been passed fit.

QPR have a couple injury concerns with Paddy Kenny a doubt to play, with Radek Cerny expected to keep the gloves after a heroic display at Anfield last week. Anton Ferdinand, DJ Campbell and Adel Taarabt are all doubts, with Taarabt the most unlikely of the trio to play. The R’s top goalscorer this season Heidar Helguson is expected to return for the game after missing out last week with a groin problem.

My prediction is that Michael Carrick and Phil Jones will continue their successful partnership in the middle of midfield following our central midfield options being limited. Also I feel that Antonio Valencia will get another start after impressing against Wolves last week with two assists.