Welcome to the first live game of the day, and one where Manchester United can make a significant step towards the 2012 title. Is there any chance QPR can scupper them and boost their own survival hopes? It does not look likely…

The teams:

Manchester United: De Gea, Evra, Evans, Rafael, Ferdinand, Carrick, Valencia, Young, Scholes, Welbeck, Rooney

QPR: Kenny, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Hill, Taiwo, Diakite, Derry, Mackie, Taarabt, Buzsaky, Bothroyd

Rooney curls a free-kick wide. United in the ascendancy early on.

And Kenny palms another Rooney free-kick away. QPR have yet to get across the halfway line…

PENALTY and RED CARD! Shaun Derry hauls down Ashley Young, even though he was i an offside position. It’s QPR’s seventh red card this season and it’s very harsh!

GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 QPR

Wayne Rooney tucks it right into the corner. Kenny guessed right but it was a supreme penalty.

That was a very harsh red card on Derry. Now, there really is no chance for QPR. This will be a procession. It’s about goal difference now.

Ashley Young heads just wide from Rooney’s cross. I still don’t think QPR have been in United’s half.

Adel Taraabt’s shot is blocked in the box as QPR enjoy a rare break. He destryed Rafael there. Warning for United.

United not quite devastating so far despite the extra man. It’s a very muted game so far.

Welbeck’s shot blocked by Anton Ferdinand’s arm, which was held tight against his body to be fair. I’ll be honest, I could have used that for Fantasy Football points. That’s what this is about by now.

Half-time: a very pedestrian first half after that controversial, early penalty. United well control, as is to be completely expected after it.

Of course, the whole talking point is that penalty. Young is offside, there’s a slight push, and he goes down very easy. All in all, it’s a harsh decision. It probably was a penalty. But he is offside. Should have been a call.

Interesting – if unsurprising – stat from Rob Hawthorne there: since 1992-93, United have never lost a league when they’ve been ahead at half-time.

And the second half is off…

Welbeck has the ball in the net but it’s ruled out for offside. That was very marginal.

Welbeck just misses after a fine ball from Young. United can’t quite put this to bed yet.

United, despite their dominance, can’t get that second. Rafael was so close there. The question: if they don’t get one, will QPR make the most of that one chance they will get?

And now Kenny saves from Welbeck! This is an onslaught. But QPR are relatively unharmed so far! Anxiety increasing at Old Trafford.

GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 QPR

Paul Scholes drills it into the corner from distance. What a competitor he’s been since returning. It’s even arguable he’s been responsible for United’s supreme recent form. Sets the tempo. Supreme.

Scholes going off now. He’s played in every single Premier League game since returning.

Carrick smashes the inside of the post from about 30 yards! Great strike and so unlucky.

United fans singing for Mark Hughes to give them a wave. He’s unmoved. Can’t be a nice day for him.

It should be mentioned, by the by, that Cleverley came on for Scholes. A welcome boost for United fans, given that they probably wouldn’t have brought back Scholes without him. He’s fired in a few set-pieces so far. Hard to gauge performances, though, given that tis game is now at walking pace.

FULL-TIME: Manchester United 2-0 QPR

And ultimately east win with nothing to really write home about. United are now eight points clear though. Over to you City, in what is a difficult game…