Depleted United set to battle QPR

[Shola Sholaz]

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones as they aim to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points with victor  a bottom club Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Rooney, who has scored 10 goals in his last 11 starts, has a sinus problem, while Jones injured his ankle in Monday's 2-1 win at home to Reading in the FA Cup fifth round.
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With progress in the FA Cup secured and a healthy 1-1 draw recorded in last week's trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16, United can now re- focus their attention on the quest for a 20th English league crown.
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The trip to Loftus Road is the first of five consecutive games in which United will face sides currently residing in the table's bottom half, before a potential title decider at home to nearest rivals Manchester City on April 8.
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With City facing an awkward game at home to third place Chelsea on Sunday, a United victory at QPR could represent a decisive blow in the title race.
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However, having seen his side squander an eight- point lead over City last season, United manager Alex Ferguson has warned his players to concentrate on the task in hand.
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"The only way we can approach it is by taking care of each game and eventually we run out of matches," he said.
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"I can understand from Manchester City's point of. view why they are talking about us dropping points. But the fact of the matter is they will drop them as well."