United Records Its First Win

Angel Di Maria shone on his
Old Trafford debut as
Manchester United secured
their first win of the season
against a disappointing QPR.

Di Maria opened the scoring midway through the first
half as his left-footed free-kick evaded everyone and
beat Rob Green to his right.
Ander Herrera doubled the advantage following a pass
by Wayne Rooney, and the duo combined again as the
new club captain made it 3-0 before half-time.

Juan Mata made it four after Di Maria's wayward shot
found him free in the area before Radamel Falcao was
denied a debut goal of his own by Green late on.

Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind were handed starting
berths by Van Gaal, while Falcao, who moved to Old
Trafford on a season-long loan from Monaco on
transfer deadline day, was joined by fellow new recruit
Luke Shaw on the bench.

United, whose emphatic triumph ensured QPR
defender Rio Ferdinand endured a miserable return to
his former club, made a fast start to proceedings and
threatened in the seventh minute when Mata shot well
over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

QPR, with Sandro and Niko Kranjcar in their team for
the first time since the duo's deadline-day
moves, appeared to have weathered the storm as
some of the early intensity vanished from United's
play, but in the 24th minute Van Gaal's men found the
breakthrough their dominance of possession merited.

Clint Hill was penalised for a foul on Herrera and
visiting goalkeeper Green was beaten as an
inswinging free-kick from Di Maria evaded everyone
and crept into the bottom-left corner.

United had clear control of the encounter but Harry
Redknapp's side were almost gifted an equaliser in
the 31st minute by David de Gea.
The Spaniard rushed off his line in an attempt to clear
a long ball forward and was grateful for a diving block
from Jonny Evans that prevented Matt Phillips from
scoring.

QPR were given a mountain to climb 10 minutes
before half-time when former Athletic Bilbao man
Herrera drove a low strike beyond the despairing
Green to double United's lead.
Di Maria was heavily involved in the goal, surging
down the left wing before slipping a neat pass into
Rooney, who laid the ball off for Herrera to open his
account after the England striker had seen his initial
shot blocked.

Rooney effectively ended the game as a contest in
the 44th minute, rounding off a neat move involving
Herrera and Mata with a powerful finish.

Redknapp threw on Armand Traore for the
unimpressive Hill at half-time and the move almost
paid instant dividends as the substitute pulled the ball
back for Kranjcar to bring a fine save from De Gea.

Yet QPR could not prevent United adding further gloss
to a superb display. A cross-shot from Di Maria cut
out three players and left Mata with the simple task of
firing high into the net from close range.

Falcao was brought on to rapturous applause from the
home supporters, yet it was one of QPR's debutants
that almost cut the deficit, striker Eduardo Vargas
firing narrowly wide after being played through down
the right-hand side.

A glittering showing from Di Maria came to an end as
he was withdrawn with an apparent case of cramp
before the Old Trafford crowd end were denied a
fitting end to an encouraging afternoon when Falcao
was thwarted by Green, who also saved from
replacement Adnan Januzaj in the 90th minute.