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Manchester United vs Queens Park Rangers: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

Sunday 14 September 2014 14:51 BST

Manchester United's new player Radamel Falcao (AP)

Manchester United’s audacious capture of Radamel Falcao on deadline day caught the attention of world football. Manager Louis van Gaal’s potential frontline of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Falcao is one that will leave QPR boss Harry Redknapp with a headache, but the question remains – can Van Gaal get the balance right?

LIVE: The latest from Man Utd vs QPR

Also added to United’s squad since their last fixture is Dutch defender Danny Blind, while Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo has been granted a visa following his move from Sporting. Van Gaal has now got the players to exploit his favoured 3-5-2 formation, which he enjoyed success with during the World Cup with the Netherlands. A win against QPR would help to settle any early season nerves at Old Trafford - the Red Devils had not had the best of starts, and find themselves in 14th position in the Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers meanwhile have also had a busy transfer window, with Redknapp adding deadline day signings Sandro and Kranjcar to the eight other new faces at Loftus Road. A lack of goals will be a worry for QPR, and the departure of Loic Remy to Chelsea will do nothing to help the cause. Rangers have only scored once this season, but despite this find themselves in twelfth, above United.

Manchester United have not been easy opponents for QPR in recent years though, with the Red Devils winning 12 of the last 13 games between the sides.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

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1/10The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Radamel Falcao (Manchester United)

One of four Manchester United players on this list, Falcao's arrival at Manchester United was the biggest surprise of a mad summer. It will be interesting to see where Louis van Gaal decides to play the Colombian hitman - will he start alongside Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, will he replace one of them, or will he start from the bench?

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Luke Shaw (Manchester United)

Brought in on a massive fee, the English teenager has been roundly criticised for failing to get fit in time for the new season. With Ashley Young struggling as Van Gaal's left wing-back Luke Shaw should come in and immediately be an upgrade in the position. United and England fans will certainly be hoping so.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Marcos Rojo (Manchester United)

Almost a month after arriving at Manchester United, and four games into the season, Argentine defender Marcos Rojo finally has a passport and should play. Louis van Gaal's team have looked porous at the back and the fiesty defender should add some bite to the back-line.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Daley Blind (Manchester United)

A Louis van Gaal favourite, Daley Blind is a versatile player capable of slotting in across the defence, at wing-back or in central midfield. Classy and composed on the ball, Blind is a clever player - it'll be interesting to see where the Manchester United boss opts to play the utility man.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)

Danny Welbeck was brilliant for England in Switzerland, scoring two goals and showing all of the energy and enthusiasm that has made him a manager's favourite. Arsenal were desperately in need of cover after the injury to Olivier Giroud and Gunners fans will be hoping the £16m striker hits the ground running.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Alex Song (West Ham)

Although he never managed to break into the first team in two years at Barcelona, Alex Song is undoubtedly a top quality player. West Ham needed to add goals and flair to their struggling side and Sam Allardyce will be hoping Song can get close to the 11 assists he provided for Arsenal in the 2011-12 season.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Hatem Ben Arfa (Hull City)

Undoubtedly a hugely talented player, the French winger will be hoping a fresh start at a new club revitalises his career. Ben Arfa was frozen out at Newcastle but he should become an important attacking option for Steve Bruce.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Abel Hernandez (Hull City)

Steve Bruce has spent the majority of the money he received for the sale of Shane Long on the 24-year-old Hernandez. The Uruguayan had an excellent season in Serie A last year scoring 14 goals for Palermo, but is a bit of a wildcard. The pacey striker will look to develop the same kind of partnership Long enjoyed with Nikica Jelavic last season

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Sandro (QPR)

The Beast was one of Tottenham's best players the year before last but injuries have limited the amount of time spent in the middle of midfield for Spurs. Back with old manager Harry Redknapp expect the Brazilian to find his best form and add quality to the Rangers midfield.

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The 10 debutants to look out for this weekend

Ricky Alvarez (Sunderland)

Alvarez's signature is a coup for Gus Poyet and Sunderland. The tall Argentina midfielder oozes class and was impressive for Inter Milan last season with four goals and eight assists, before being selected for the World Cup. Sunderland struggled for goals last season and will be hoping Alvarez can provide a spark for their strikers.

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PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Queens Park Rangers 0 Manchester United 2 (Da Silva, Giggs), Premier League, February 2013

Manchester United 3 (Evans, Fletcher, Hernandez) Queens Park Rangers 1 (Mackie), English Premier, November 2012

Manchester United 2 (Rooney, Scholes) Queens Park Rangers 0, Premier League, April 2012.

STATS…

United have only failed to beat QPR once in their last thirteen matches.

Over their past three games against Rangers, United have had seven different scorers, none of whom have scored more than once.

Despite being 12, QPR have scored the joint lowest amount of goals in the league.

ODDS…

Manchester United to win: 1.25

Queens Park Rangers to win: 13

Draw: 5.5

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.

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