Manchester United vs QPR: Five Key Battles

 Here are the key battles...

Robin van Persie vs Anton Ferdinand

Despite failing to score in United past two league games, van Persie has been in scintillating form at his new club this season. QPR's defence let in three at home to Southampton last week, and a titanic performance is required to stop United's attack from running riot at Old Trafford. Of the two Ferdinand brothers likely to be on show, Anton clearly has the harder job, and if he allows van Persie to get away from him, QPR have little hope.

Michael Carrick vs Esteban Granero

Whilst there has been a fair amount of rotation in United's central midfield this season, you would expect Carrick to start for the home team as they look to dominate possession in the centre of the park. Granero has a key double role for QPR, he will need to close down Carrick and get hold of the ball, but also control possession himself for his side. The former Real Madrid man has been good this season even as QPR have struggled, and with United's relative weakness in central midfield, Granero can give his side hope if he gets on top of Carrick early.

Wayne Rooney vs Samba Diakite

Presuming that Wayne Rooney drops off the front to link play between the midfield and the attack, Diakite will have a crucial role in attempting to nullify the England man. Diakite has demonstrated on plenty of occasions that he can pick up a card, and so has a delicate balancing act to undertake at the weekend, If he stands off Rooney he may end up letting the England man control United's attacks, but if he gets too close, and commits too many fouls, QPR could end up a man down at Old Trafford.

Antonio Valencia vs Armand Traore

 Last season Traore was part of the Arsenal team that lost 8-2 at Old Trafford, and there are certainly fears ahead of the fixture that QPR could be on the end of a hiding. Traore faces not only Valencia, but also the marauding Rafael, and the midfielder ahead of him will need to be on his toes just as much as the left back. If Traore gets isolated against Valencia and Rafael, QPR will likely lose this match.

Chris Smalling vs Djibril Cisse

The news that Bobby Zamora is out for three months has hit QPR fans hard this week, and Cisse needs to really step up to the plate at the weekend to show them they have a striker to rely on in Zamora's absence. United are clearly having problems at the back, and Cisse will probably get plenty of room when he does get the ball. Smalling has been bullied by Benteke and Holt in recent matches, and Cisse could well snatch a goal if he can also get the better of Smalling on occasion.