Two goals were enough in the end for Manchester United to get back to winning ways as they triumphed 2-0 away at Loftus Road on Saturday and all it took was a Marouane Fellaini goal in the second half and a late goal from teenage striker, James Wilson.
Louis van Gaal’s men had to stomach a demoralizing defeat last weekend at home to Southampton, for which this victory, at least for some hours takes them above the Saints but leaves Harry Redknapp’s reign at Rangers on tenterhooks.
The match started very brightly with both teams playing expansive football but United had more of the chances to score but Rob Green, in goal for Rangers kept United at bay for the first half.
David de Gea produced a spectacular save from a lob from all off 35 yards by Charlie Austin and the two were at it again on 31 minutes with the Spanish goalkeeper pulled off another save.
In the second half, Rangers came out stronger and Leroy Fer should have scored with a header, which he missed. Then it was Radamel Falcao’s turn, but Green made a good save.
But the goal finally came and it was a swift United move through Antonio Valencia who swept his pass to Fellaini, and though his shot took a nick, Green got his hands on the ball but could not keep it out.
From then on Rangers pressed for an equaliser and had some half chances, especially through Mauricio Isla, who took bad decisions in the United box – passing instead of shooting on more than one occasion.
And as the clock wound down, United caught Rangers on the counter and though Green saved first from Wilson, the teenager got a second bite and put it in to finally settle Van Gaal’s nerves. United are up to third, at least for the moment.