Can QPR do 'a Blackburn'?

Rock-bottom QPR travel to Old Trafford on Saturday, where the chances of them getting their first win of the season seem almost impossible.

Recently sacked Mark Hughes only picked up three points from 12 league games this campaign, despite having a team which many pundits claimed possessed real quality.  A defeat at home to relegation rivals Southampton last weekend left them cast adrift in the depths of the Premier League and a well-backed QPR side now have it all to do if they are to get out of trouble.

Approaching this weekend’s match, it is important to remember that Manchester United are not invincible.  On New Year’s Eve 2011, Blackburn Rovers claimed the scalp of the season under Steve Kean, as the bottom of the league side beat seemingly impossible odds to pull off an unbelievable win at Old Trafford.  This season, United had actually already been defeated at home within the first two months, as Tottenham, who had not won at The Theatre of Dreams in 23 years, claimed an impressive victory at the end of September.  With their home ground’s reputation as a fortress being damaged so early in the season, other teams may now believe they can do the same.

What’s more is that United have lost their last two games.  A shocking defeat at Norwich was followed by a midweek trip to Turkey to face Galatasaray, where a hostile atmosphere played its part in a second consecutive 1-0 away loss for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.  Whilst the Red Devils had already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners, losing their 100% record in the competition will have left them further frustrated.

When it comes to teams like United, people say to beware the wounded animal, but the huge blow suffered at Carrow Road could provide managerless QPR with an ideal opportunity to strike.

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