Statistics & Post-Match Quotes | Manchester United 2-0 Queens Park Rangers

TEAM STATISTICS

The Busby Babe	United	QPR
Shots (on target)	28 (10)	9 (0)
Total Passes	668	207
Passing Accuracy	91%	77%
Ball Possession	73%	27%
Tackles won	18	19
Interceptions	22	15
Fouls	13	11
Corners	11	5
Offsides	3	0

MUFC PLAYER STATISTICS

* David de Gea (goalkeeper): 6/6 passing (100%), 0 saves, 0 goals conceded

* Jonny Evans (right-center-back): 43/47 passing (91%), 2/2 long balls, 0 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 clearances, 2 shots blocked, 0 fouls

* Rio Ferdinand (left-center-back): 50/52 passing (96%), 3/3 long balls, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 2 clearances, 1 shot blocked, 0 fouls

* Rafael (right-back | substituted off 74'): 53/59 passing (90%), 1 key pass, 1/5 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 0 clearanes, 0 shots blocked, 3 fouls, 1 assist

* Patrice Evra (left-back): 44/49 passing (90%), 3 key passes, 1/1 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 6 tackles, 1 interception, 7 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 2 fouls

* Paul Scholes (central-midfield | substituted off 74'): 114/120 passing (95%), 5 key passes, 0/0 crosses, 24/26 long balls, 1/1 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 3 shots (1 on target), 1 goal

* Michael Carrick (central-midfield): 119/135 passing (88%), 1 key pass, 0/1 crosses, 10/12 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 1 shot (0 on target)

* Antonio Valencia (right-winger): 68/72 passing (94%), 3 key passes, 1/9 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 3 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 2 tackles, 3 interceptions, 0 shots

* Ashley Young (left-winger | substituted off 62'): 33/38 passing (87%), 2 key passes, 2/12 crosses, 2/3 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 3 fouls won, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 3 shots (0 on target)

* Wayne Rooney (striker): 62/75 passing (83%), 3 key passes, 1/2 crosses, 8/8 long balls, 1/1 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 7 shots (5 on target), 1 goal (penalty)

* Danny Welbeck (striker): 30/33 passing (91%), 0 key passes, 0/1 crosses, 1/1 through balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 2 fouls won, 8 shots (2 on target)

* Ryan Giggs (left-winger | substituted on 62'): 16/21 passing (76%), 2 key passes, 3/6 crosses, 3/4 long balls, 0/2 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 0 shots

* Tom Cleverley (central-midfield | substituted on 74'): 19/20 passing (95%), 0 key passes, 0/0 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 2 tackles, 0 interceptions, 2 shots (0 on target)

* Phil Jones (right-back | substituted on 74'): 7/7 passing (100%), 0/1 crosses, 1/1 long balls, 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 clearances, 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

POST-MATCH QUOTES

Sir Alex Ferguson | MUFC manager (courtesy of MUTV)

(On the penalty and on Shaun Derry being sent off...) "Ashley was a yard offside so I can understand Mark [Hughes] being angry and disappointed at that. You see these kinds of decisions every week though. The boy's just got a little tug on Young, not a great deal but enough to get us the penalty. And unfortunately he was the last defender and had to be sent off. The sending-off didn't help us at all. I was actually more confident before that in terms of the speed of our play and the movement of the team which was very good."

(On Scholes' goal...) "The second goal from Scholes calmed everyone down. Before that we'd kept missing those vital chances. Welbeck was through, then we hit the bar and the post and balls were flying across the box, but it just wouldn't go in."

(On the title race...) "The important thing about today was we won. We'll have to wait and see what happens at the Emirates but we've done our job."

Rio Ferdinand | MUFC defender (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(On United's 12 match unbeaten streak...) "We didn't think about getting into this position [clear league leaders] but we never doubted ourselves. We never doubted we could put a good run together and win games. That's what you need to do, you have to get momentum at this stage of the season. That's the most important thing, making sure you get a good run together and win all your remaining games. We've ticked one off today and hopefully we can keep on going."

(On the penalty and on Derry being sent off...) "I was surprised at the red card but I've not really seen it enough to comment. I don't know how much contact there was. Considering they had a man sent off quite early in the game, we would like to have scored a few more. But a clean sheet and a couple of goals - we would have taken that before the game."

(On United's experience in this title race...) "Experience is huge. We've been in this position before and that counts for a lot. We know what it takes to get over the finishing line first and we've got to use all that experience to make sure we do it again. The young players are all putting their two-pence worth in as well and it's a group effort, it's a team effort. Everyone's contribution counts."

Michael Carrick | MUFC midfielder (courtesy of MUTV)

(On breaking QPR down...) "It's nothing new. We've been having to deal with this for a while. The first goal is obviously crucial. The longer the game goes, the harder it becomes.It's difficult with so many men around the edge of the box. Trying to find a pass, trying to be patient, making that decision whether to pass or shoot, trying to keep the ball and keep the pressure on. That's how it is and we score so many late goals by working on teams and breaking them down in the end. It's just patience, really; keeping a high tempo but at the same time being patient and believing we'll get the goal. Obviously today we got two and we're happy. The second goal was crucial. After that the job was done, really, but it's not easy. It should be easier than it is against a man down, but it never really seems to be like that."

(On playing versus 10-men...) "In some ways [it's easier to play against 11 men], because they might fancy their chances to come out and nick a goal, but when you're playing against 10 men they've got the mentality to defend and protect the edge of the box. The space isn't there."

(On United's recent victories and on their upcoming games...) "We've won the last two games two-nil, and if we'd been offered that we'd have taken it so we can be satisfied with that. We've won the game today, we had a good win at Blackburn and we want another good win on Wednesday night. If we keep winning games then the gap's going to be there still, so that's our aim."

Mark Hughes | Queens Park Rangers manager

(On the penalty decision...) "You do discuss it before every game. You worry more about decisions going against you and it shouldn't be like that. You should have confidence that the referee will get the key decisions right. Just lately a lot of managers have lost faith in them. It is a difficult job. You have to be strong and really clear. You have to be 100% right to give the decisions. At the moment people are guessing and hoping that they get it correct. That was the case today.''

(On QPR's approach after going down to 10-men...) "We couldn't have any effect on the game because we couldn't afford to concede a shed load of goals. We had a real challenge to make sure we didn't go under and I was really proud of the boys because they didn't allow that to happen. I have been part of United teams that have scored avalanches of goals because their opponents have capitulated. We didn't do that today. I am really pleased with what we produced even if the game as a contest was over after 15 minutes.''

(More on the refereeing...) "This weekend they (the officials) haven't covered themselves in glory. These are massive decisions that affect people's livelihoods and the fans of clubs who are dear to their hearts. Decisions are not being correctly made and they are affecting too many people. The referee was too quick to put his whistle to his mouth. The kid was still rolling around and he had already given a penalty. His assistant didn't have the opportunity to put his flag up. I don't know what the answer is. They are a professional body now and they have the opportunity to review performances. At the moment it is a numbers game and possibly they do not have enough numbers of the right quality.''