United's good run of form came to halt as Southampton picked up a victory over the Red Devils last time out. It was a match in which Man United showed more promise but it was the Saints who got on the score sheet first with a goal from Dusan Tadic. The home side was presented with a number of glorious opportunities to equalise including two which fell to Juan Mata, but the Red Devils failed to capitalise. As a result United have now slipped to fourth place in the league table and will need three points to ensure they finish this week in the top four.
Man United legend Paul Scholes has been critical of the system used by manager Van Gaal. The former United midfielder claimed that whereas the 3-5-2 formation allows the team to maintain a lot of possession, it is not a tactic which can yield a lot of goals.
"In a 3-5-2 formation, that width is just not there for United," Scholes wrote in a column for the Evening Standard.
"Luke Shaw is an orthodox left-back being asked to play wing-back. Antonio Valencia has lost some of that great pace he once had, and it is more difficult for him to get past players when his starting position is so deep.
"There is no doubt that 3-5-2 helps you keep the ball. The three centre-halves and the three central midfielders can pass it around to their heart's content. The problem comes when you try to hurt teams in attacking areas.
"You can have all the possession you like, but if you are not creating "2 vs 1" situations where you outnumber your opposition and get behind them, then you are not going to score enough goals."
QPR on the other hand will be looking to bring an end to their dreadful run of form which has seen them losing three and drawing their remaining two in their last five matches. To make things worse for Harry Redknapp's side, QPR have not recorded a victory against the Red Devils since a 4-1 win back in 1992.
However they have shown more promise at Loftus Road, where the Hoops have taken 15 points from their last seven league outings which includes four wins and three draws. They will be depending heavily on Charlie Austin to produce the goods who has scored 13 times in the league this season.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand is a doubt to feature against his former club but both Sandro and Yun Suk-Young returned to training this week. Man United on the other hand have injury concerns over the likes of Marcos Rojo (thigh), Robin van Persie (ankle) and Rafael da Silva (fractured cheekbone), whereas Ashley Young is definitely out of the tie.
QPR vs Man Utd team sheets
QPR's lineup: Green, Isla, Dunne, Onuoha, Hill, Vargas, Barton, Henry, Fer, Austin, Zamora.
Man Utd's lineup: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Rojo, Mata, Carrick, Blind, Rooney, Di Maria, Falcao.
QPR's subs: McCarthy, Caulker, Ferdinand, Kranjcar, Hoilett, Taarabt, Zarate.
Man Utd's subs: Valdes, Evans, McNair, Januzaj, Herrera, Wilson, Fellaini,
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