QPR 0 Manchester United 2: Radamel Falcao and Harry Redknapp had plenty to prove at Loftus Road - and failed to do so

COMMENT: Falcao missed a number of chances on his return to the starting XI

Simon Johnson
Saturday 17 January 2015 18:49 GMT
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Rob Green keeps out an effort by Radamel Falcao
Rob Green keeps out an effort by Radamel Falcao (Getty Images)

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Harry Redknapp and Radamel Falcao both knew they had a lot to prove before kick off at Loftus Road this afternoon and now neither can look forward to a bright future.

For Redknapp it was another demoralising defeat which could see him pay the price with his job at QPR.

Despite being on the winning side, Falcao's fortunes aren't much better either after failing to find the net on his return to the side.

Naturally most of the fall-out after this game will centre on Redknapp and whether Rangers will choose to make a change in the dug-out.

There was nothing wrong with the desire and character on show, but the quality, as has been the case for most of the season, was lacking.

For months the concern among supporters has been what would QPR's fate be if their home form started to deteriorate.

Last week they set a Premier League record of starting a season with 10 straight defeats and now they have gone three games without a win in west London.

With Leicester losing at home to Stoke, at least they avoided the ignominy of falling to the bottom of the table.

However, the QPR insider, who has briefing against Redknapp to the media this week, has surely been given the ammunition to support the veteran's dismissal.

It's been an open secret for months that Tim Sherwood has been lined up to take over and the timing couldn't be better with the club's next fixture at Stoke a fortnight away.

The one positive for Redknapp was that at least the fans didn't turn on him during or after the match, unlike last week at Burnley.

Redknapp's future at QPR is in threat
Redknapp's future at QPR is in threat (Getty Images)

United once again managed to win playing ugly, but nothing was more hard to stomach than Falaco's miserable performance up front.

The Colombia international was furious after being left out of the squad against Southampton last week.

A return of three goals in 13 appearances since joining from Monaco on loan was hardly a strong case for the defence that he deserves more games.

He was given a reprieve by Louis van Gaal due to Robin van Persie's injury, but didn't pass his audition.

As the away side toiled to break down an ailing QPR team, Falcao had two clear cut chances from six yards in each half.

On both occasions keeper Robert Green denied him, but he should have buried his shot and header respectively.

Substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson showed him how it's done with two well taken strikes after the break to secure all three points.

The one consolation for Falcao is that there is still enough time left in the season to perhaps convince United he's worth keeping. Unfortunately, the same may not apply for Redknapp.

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