QPR

1.88

• 
  69

  12

  3.00

  Julio César

  The Brazilian made a number of good saves, including one preventing Chicharito from heading in and another from Van Persie just before half-time. However, he could only parry a Van Persie shot into the path of Rafael, who scored a sensational goal. But Cesar could do nothing to prevent that, such was the quality of the strike.

• 
  8

  38

  1.50

  Armand Traoré

  Nani was supposedly starting on the right wing, but in truth he seemed to be roaming all over the place, in theory presenting Traore with a much easier afternoon. On the occasions Nani did come out wide, Traore did little to stop him, while he also struggled with the impressive Rafael.

• 
  20

  33

  2.50

  Christopher Samba

  Did a relatively good job on the United forwards. Had the physical and aerial advantage against both Van Persie and Hernandez and he won a great deal of headers in and around his own penalty area and United's, having one cleared off the line. However, he, like the QPR defence, were often sat very deep, given the midfielder too much to do.

• 
  8

  30

  1.50

  Clint Hill

  Has been given the captain's armband since Ryan Nelsen left and you can't fault his effort, but he just isn't very good. He was beaten way too easily by Van Persie in the build-up to Rafael's goal, and Chicharito peeled away from him in the area at least three times. Should have at least been booked for a Nigel de Jong-style kung-fu tackle on Rafael.

• 
  6

  39

  1.50

  José Bosingwa

  The Portuguese full-back's main asset is probably his effectiveness going forward, but he very rarely supported Mackie on that flank. Defensively he stayed close to Young, but he still afforded the winger too much space.

• 
  16

  40

  1.50

  Adel Taarabt

  Saw plenty of the ball early on, but he frustrated his team-mates who effectively stopped giving him the ball. He would do well by getting past his man, but then ruin it by trying for the spectacular goal from 35-yards, rather than slip a simple pass into Zamora. Very wasteful performance.

• 
  10

  35

  1.00

  Esteban Granero

  Granero was given very little time on the ball for much of the match as the central areas of the pitch were so congested. His passing was generally decent, but his first touch let him down numerously and his influence was stifled due to such a deep-lying position before getting replaced at half-time.

• 
  37

  13

  3.00

  Andros Townsend

  If there is one position that United have been caught out more than anywhere else in defence this season, then it is at left-back. Evra is having a good season, but his forward forays can be exposed. Townsend failed to exploit this in the first half, but probed Evra's area after half-time and he did have some success. However, he eventually switched to have a go at Rafael, but the Brazilian bossed that duel.

• 
  8

  31

  2.00

  Stéphane M'Bia

  The midfield powerhouse was deployed to be just that against United; a physical barrier to halt any central creativity. Most of the time he was just roughing players up, but he did make some important interceptions.

• 
  8

  33

  1.00

  Jamie Mackie

  You would have been forgiven for not realising Mackie was even playing in the first half as he did next to nothing. He was a little more lively after the break, but he was not much of a problem for the United rearguard.

• 
  4

  45

  1.00

  B. Zamora Flop of the Match

  QPR's dreadful support and delivery meant Zamora hardly touched the ball for long periods. When they did get the ball in the danger area, Nemanja Vidic was flying in for everything and winning the majority.

Substitutions

• 
  23

  16

  2.50

  Jermaine Jenas

  Came on at the break for Granero, and he showed more urgency in attack than the Spaniard, but in the grand scheme of things he did not have much impact.

• 
  29

  12

  2.50

  Loïc Remy

  With Zamora having an ineffectual day, Remy came on and almost equalised within seconds as he tested De Gea. Eventually United killed the game off and Remy took a couple of knocks.

• 
  6

  21

  Junior Hoilett

  The winger came on with a few minutes remaining, but he hardly touched the ball as United secured the win late on.

Manchester United

3.04

• 
  212

  13

  3.00

  David de Gea

  Apart from an extremely easy save from Taarabt, De Gea was virtually a spectator in the first half. QPR showed a little more attacking intent in the second period, but the Spaniard was equal to everything thrown at him.

• 
  325

  10

  4.00

  Rafael Top of the Match

  Alongside Carrick and Van Persie, Rafael has undeniably been amongst United's best players this season, and he was on form again at Loftus Road. His crossing was good, he tackled well and cleared a Samba header off the line. His 23rd minute goal was the icing on the cake as he smashed a quite sensational half-volley into the top corner.

• 
  126

  23

  2.50

  Patrice Evra

  Spent plenty of time in the QPR half in the first period, with no-one offering anything down that side. However, he had a lot more to think about in the second period as Townsend came to life. The winger switched flanks after a while, giving Evra some respite.

• 
  174

  16

  3.50

  Rio Ferdinand

  The 34-year-old looked as composed as ever. After playing against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo recently, facing Zamora must've been a dream. The forward's lack of mobility meant he hardly posed a threat to the United defence.

• 
  205

  12

  3.50

  Nemanja Vidic

  Jonny Evans' form earlier in the season meant that Vidic's absence was not quite as troublesome as originally feared, but he makes United look so solid at the back. He continuously anticipated danger and passes into forwards, cutting them out with perfect timing.

• 
  205

  13

  3.50

  Ryan Giggs

  The veteran Welshman has played much of his football on the left this season, and has been effective despite his lack of pace. However, at Loftus Road he was back in the centre and he put in a decent shift. A few times he gave the ball away in a promising position, but he did well in tight areas and put the match beyond doubt with United's second goal in his 999th career match.

• 
  125

  21

  3.00

  Michael Carrick

  Perhaps not one of his most effective afternoons, but he was important in the centre nevertheless. Several times he made a well-timed interception, and he always tried to keep possession moving in a positive direction by looking forward.

• 
  229

  17

  3.50

  Nani

  Rewarded with only his sixth Premier League start of the season after starring against Reading in the FA Cup. Overall he had a good afternoon as he made things happen and linked up well with his team-mates. His preference to roam around the attacking third meant QPR found him very elusive, something that was evident in his clever assist for Giggs.

• 
  65

  104

  2.00

  Ashley Young

  Saw plenty of the ball on the left and was lively, but he will likely be a bit disappointed. His crossing was inconsistent and he gave possession away far too regularly. Eventually replaced by Antonio Valencia.

• 
  123

  38

  2.50

  Chicharito

  There were plenty of times where the Mexican's movement saw him terrorise Hill due to his positioning, but he just couldn't get his goal and came off with about 30 minutes to go for Rooney after a frustrating day.

• 
  126

  32

  2.50

  Robin van Persie

  The Dutchman was quiet in the early stages, and even sloppy at times. He soon came to life, however, as he breezed past Hill and M'Bia before his shot was parried into the path of Rafael who opened the scoring. Due to a collision with a cameraman in the build-up to that goal, he was replaced before half-time.

Substitutions

• 
  130

  21

  3.00

  Antonio Valencia

  Replaced Young with about 30 minutes to go and saw plenty of the ball down the right, and he should have had an assist, but the forwards often over-complicated things.

• 
  132

  19

  3.00

  Wayne Rooney

  As Chicharito grew frustrated, Sir Alex sensed it was time to take the Mexican off and on came Rooney in his place. The England star was influential without being spectacular and he should have scored late on.

• 
  110

  40

  3.00

  Danny Welbeck

  WIth Van Persie struggling with injury, Welbeck came on just before the break and injected energy into a United attack that had looked a bit leggy. In terms of his play, it was a similar story as it usually is with Welbeck: he did well to get into the box, but showed a lack of composure.