Mark Hughes determined to cause an upset against former club

Manchester United v QPR: Mark Hughes determined to cause an upset against former club
QPR manager Mark Hughes believes there is a “sense of inevitability” about the likelihood of the Premier League title going to Manchester United – but the former Red Devils striker is determined to cause an upset tomorrow.

Manchester City looked on course for a first league title since 1968 earlier in the season, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are now five points clear with seven matches remaining.

An eight-point gap can be opened up over City at the top with an eighth successive league victory, although QPR will be looking to end that run at Old Trafford.

United legend and former City boss Hughes is confident the west Londoners can cause an upset, although he does not expect such a surprise in the title race.

“I think at this stage of the season there is a little bit of a sense of inevitability,” said former Wales international Hughes, who hails from Ruabon.

“United have been in this situation so many times before, City haven’t and I think that can be key in this situation.

“You sense that United are looking at fixtures, taking each game on its merits and just ticking off games they have to play from now until the end of the season.

“Obviously we’re hopeful that we’re going to have a performance that will upset that plan in terms of what United expect from the game.

“That is certainly our intention and we’re not just going there to lie down and lose the game.

“Our intention is to get something out of the game because of the situation we find ourselves in.

“We’ll make it difficult for them but certainly sense that, because of the situation and the turnaround that has occurred, United are in the box seat.

“You would be very surprised if they lost it from the position they find themselves in now.”

While United will hope to edge closer to retaining the title, QPR’s aspirations are at the other end of the table.

The Hoops are running out of games to stave off relegation but head to the north west of England on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 victory against Arsenal.

“The three points was the main thing but the pleasing part from my point of view was the manner of the performance,” said the former Wales manager.

“I think from start to finish it was a good, solid performance and we had a good understanding of what we had to do to go and get a result against them.

“The lads went out and performed to the letter so really, from my point of view, we have to keep on replicating that and the application that we showed.

“The determination to see the game through to its conclusion was there for everybody to see so if we show that in the games we have remaining we will pick up more points, which is obviously the order of the day.”

Hughes can call upon DJ Campbell and Heidar Helguson once again after both strikers were sidelined for more than two months

“They are in the squad and are available,” he said. “They have obviously had more work this week and they are an option.

“DJ is probably a little more ahead than Heidar because he has had a couple more weeks training, but they are both available.”

Adel Taarabt will be in the squad despite pictures emerging this week of him smoking a shisha pipe with Arsenal’s Marouane Chamakh.

Asked if he had been punished by the club, Hughes said: “No, not at all.

“But he is a professional athlete so, from my point of view, I wouldn’t encourage it.”

 

Lets get it on. Hate Saturdays when we are not playing until Sunday. Only the golf to pass the time.

 

The cycling aint bad..Vicky Pendleton has done wonders !! great last race..

 

Anyone would have thought we have already played and been beaten!?!...Every time the game is advertised,spoken about or mentioned in the press its "manu can go 5 points clear"...Im sure we wil get turned over 2moro,but at least wait til we have played!. Whats more important is Wigan and Blackburn losing!