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Premier League preview: Manchester United v QPR

SoccerNews in English Premier League 22 Nov 2012

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Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their shock loss to Norwich when they host QPR in the Premier League on Saturday.

United lost top spot to cross-town rivals Manchester City last week when they suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat at Norwich.

That loss broke a run of five consecutive wins in the league and allowed City to move to the summit, one point clear of United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men suffered another 1-0 loss midweek in the Champions League, but with qualification already secured they fielded an under-strength side for the trip to Galatasaray.

First-team regulars Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and skipper Patrice Evra all didn’t travel to Turkey, but can expect to return for Saturday’s clash.

Van Persie hasn’t taken long to settle into his new surrounds at Manchester with the former Arsenal forward already knocking in eight goals from 12 matches – and he will be keen to add to that tally against the second-worst defence in the Premier League.

QPR, who are still searching for their first league win of the season, remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just four points to show from their opening 12 games.

The club is in turmoil with rumours circulating manager Mark Hughes’ time at the helm could be coming to an end in the near future.

Following this weekend’s clash against United, QPR travel to Sunderland on Tuesday and if they are still winless then chairman Tony Fernandes could look at bringing in a new manager to try and turn the club around.

QPR’s cause hasn’t been helped by news that striker Bobby Zamora could miss the remainder of the season due to a hip injury.

The English forward had been playing with the injury for six weeks, but decided it was too painful to go on with surgery looking like the only option.

With Andy Johnson already out long-term and Jay Bothroyd loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday, it leaves Djibril Cisse as Hughes’ only out-and-out striker.

The Frenchman, who scored six goals in eight appearances late last year, has struggled to find the net this campaign with just one goal in 11 matches.

Rangers will take solace from their scoreless draw against heavyweights Chelsea, but will have to produce an even better performance to get anything from their trip to Manchester.

A win for United will see them take top spot for at least a day, with City travelling to third-placed Chelsea on Sunday.

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