Manchester United's Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring a goal against Queens Park Rangers during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England September 14, 2014.
Manchester United's Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring a goal against Queens Park Rangers during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England September 14, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Yates

The fixture list has helped Manchester United with the opportunity to play themselves back in form. After losing to a strong Southampton side in their last match, they will travel to London to play the weakest team in the capital, Queens Park Rangers.

After 21 matches played in the season Manchester United are at the fourth position on the league table, one point clear of the fifth placed Arsenal at 36. In the last five matches across all competitions they have won and drawn two each while losing their last game at home to Southampton.

Queens Park Rangers are just two points better off the bottom placed team Leicester City. They are one point behind the safety of 18th position in the league table. The two undesirable distinctions that they hold are the fact that they have conceded the most goals in the whole division at 37 and have jointly, with Leicester City, lost the most number of matches in this league at 12.

Louis van Gaal will welcome back Rafael into the squad from a fractured cheek bone injury. Ashley Young is scheduled to be back from a hamstring injury a month from now. There is no exact date as to when Robin van Persie will make a return to the squad.

With the availability of side backs van Gaal will shift to a more traditional back four. If Robin van Persie is unable to make a complete recovery then Radamel Falcao might get another chance to impress the manager. So far his return of goals has not been as many as expected.

Queens Park Rangers will try and play on the counter attack with a solid defensive organisation. It is easier said than done for a team struggling to stop goals being scored against them. QPR have netted 23 goals in 21 matches, not a mean feat for a club fighting relegation. Harry Redknapp will tell his boys that if they can stop Manchester United from scoring and score themselves on a counter attack then they can get something out of this game.

Louis van Gaal must have fond memories of Queens Park Rangers. It was against them that he got his first win in a major competition as the Manchester United manager.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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