TheCable

Goals from new signings Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera fired Manchester United to an impressive 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, with Radamel Falcao making his Old Trafford debut.

The Red Devils looked in fine form as they tore Harry Redknapp’s men apart, and the London side were lucky not to have conceded more.

Louis Van Gaal ditched his controversial 3-5-2 formation for a 4-4-2 diamond with new-boy Daley Blind chosen to anchor the midfield. Juan Mata was given his preferred No 10 position behind Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

United failed to register a shot on goal for the first 20 minutes but Di Maria got things started before the half-hour mark when he fired home a free-kick that left QPR keeper Robert Green stranded.

Herrera then doubled United’s lead in the 36th minute when his effort found the net from 20 yards out.

Skipper Rooney put the game beyond doubt before the half was even over, burying an effort at the far post in the 44th minute.

With this strike, Rooney has drawn level with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as the Premier League’s joint third highest goalscorer.

The Englishman’s goal tally now stands at 175 goals.

On the resumption of the second half, Juan Mata added a fourth to complete the rout.

Van Persie hit the crossbar with a well-taken chip before Falcao was brought in to the delight of the home fans.

By this point the game was done and dusted, and United comfortably saw out the remainder of the match to earn Van Gaal his first Premier League win.

The result sees QPR stuck in 16th place on the log after collecting just three points from their opening four games, and Redknapp will be hoping for more success when his side takes on Stoke at Loftus Road next Saturday in the early kick-off.

United move up to ninth, one point behind rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, and Van Gaal will look to continue the trend by winning against Leicester in a week’s time.