There was a small scent of distaste at Old Trafford on Sunday evening as Manchester United not only suffered a shock defeat to Southampton, but Radamel Falcao was rested for the Reds.
All eyes will be focused on Louis van Gaal's team selection against a team that has failed to beat the 4th placed side in the past sixteen occasions.
Harry Redknapp's QPR side sit second from bottom in the Premier League but hold the same record as Manchester United in the last three matches, having drawn two and lost one.
TEAM NEWS
Queens Park Rangers
As he searches for Rangers' first win in four games, Redknapp has an almost complete selection available to him. Former-United defender Rio Ferdinand is a doubt, having not played since QPR's unexpected 3-0 routing by Sheffield United in the FA Cup 4 days into the New Year.
Sandro, a key cog of QPR's midfield, is a doubt as well but he hasn't played for 6 weeks, last featuring in a 1-0 loss at Newcastle United. The Brazilian midfielder was expected to make a huge impact for Redknapp's side but has only managed to play 499 minutes so far.
Left-back Yun Suk-Young has been out since before Christmas and remains on the sidelines alongside Alejandro Faurlin, who hasn't played since August.
Manchester United
Louis van Gaal labeled the fact that he had a full squad to choose from as crazy ahead of the Southampton game but that didn't stop his side from looking lackluster in defeat.
The Dutchman's striker, Robin van Persie will miss Saturday's 3PM kick-off at Loftus Road having been forced off with injury in Sunday's defeat. The Netherlands captain had to cancel plans to attend the Ballon D'or ceremony where he was in contention for Goal of the Year. He is expected to return for next Friday's FA Cup Fourth Round match against Cambridge after scans revealed the knock was nothing serious.
Ashley Young remains out with a hamstring injury and may not return until February. Meanwhile, Rafael Da Silva and Marcos Rojo will be late tests for United.
Radamel Falcao could return with the injury to Robin van Persie.
FORM
Queens Park Rangers' home form of late has been close to impressive for one of the league's worse sides. Redknapp has steered them to four wins and three draws in their last seven home games, notching up 15 points. It is their away form which has seen them slip into the bottom three, having lost 10 games on the road in a row.
Yet that form at home has been thanks to less than impressive opposition and Manchester United propose a bigger threat that any in the last seven games. They have won just one of their last six and that came before Christmas at home to West Bromwich Albion.
Manchester United's recent slump was capitalised on by Ronald Koeman's Southampton side last weekend as the Saints played a fine defensive game to take their first win away from Old Trafford in 27 years and move up to third, ahead of United.
Despite an 11-game unbeaten run ahead of the surprise loss to Koeman's side, United have been far less than impressive in their past 6 games. The Red Devils' fans have seen just two wins in those games, coming against Newcastle United at home and League One Yeovil Town away in the FA Cup.
They looked poor in a draw at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke City on New Year's Day and not up to scratch against Tottenham on December 28. Louis van Gaal's side have drawn their last three matches away from home but with those games all low scoring, United will hope their defence is improving after looking shakey at the start of the season.
PREDICTION
Having not lost at home to Southampton for 27 years, Louis van Gaal broke a record last weekend. This weekend he will be hoping not to break a record stretching back to New Year's Day 1992, when QPR last beat Manchester United.
United have won their last six against Rangers, having scored 14 and conceded just one. With the pace of Angel Di Maria back in the side this month as well as Radamel Falcao's ability to hold up the ball, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia bombing down the wings and Daley Blind anchoring the defence United should cause havoc for QPR. Redknapp's side has failed to deal with counter-attacks this season and with 37 goals already conceded, United's potent strike force will smell blood. They did so at Old Trafford when they met earlier this season, putting four past them with Di Maria scoring his first United goal.
Charlie Austin has bagged 13 goals already this season and his pace will be a problem for a United defence that remains prone to mistakes. He has an average of 4.1 shots per game and many will be backing him to score with one of them on Saturday.
Referee Neil Swarbick is in charge of a United match for the first time for this season and he's likely to see them win at Loftus Road on Saturday.