Sport Football Premier League 2011-12 Manchester United v QPR

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Friends reunited: can Mark Hughes's QPR get the better of Manchester United?

Simon will be here from around 1pm to guide you through this afternoon's game at Old Trafford, it you get here before him, cast your eyes over this...

Manchester United have won 10 of their past 11 league games and drawn the other, not only displaying the sort of precisely timed acceleration that defines champions but giving their rivals an object lesson in team unity and professional focus. While United have moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League, Manchester City have been one of the sides caught arguing among themselves, with disappointing results leading to signs of dissent on and off the pitch.
It could be argued that good results promote team harmony, and vice versa, though even in adversity, or the occasions such as Monday evening at Blackburn when the leaders had to wait 80 minutes for a breakthrough, squabbling among United players is rare.
"I wouldn't allow it," Sir Alex Ferguson says, speaking with all the authority of a manager who has faced down internal criticism from Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and others in his time. Even those cases tended to happen away from the pitch, in television studios or books. United players conspicuously fight for each other on the pitch, they do not turn on each other.

Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung: One day an Asian team will win the Fifa World Cup

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The 31-year-old former South Korea international says Asian nations can continue their recent rise on the world stage and soon lift the prestigious trophy

Manchester United's former South Korea international Park Ji-Sung says he can see an Asian nation winning the Fifa World Cup in the future.

The 31-year-old Red Devils midfielder, who retired from international duty after the 2011 Asian Cup, told the China Daily earlier this week there is still a gap between teams from his home continent and the best in Europe and South America but it was becoming more narrow.


"At the moment it is still difficult (for an Asian nation to win the World Cup)," he said.

"There is a gap between us and the world-class level, so we still have to improve. But in the past few years, the quality of Asian football has gotten better and we have proved we can deal with world-class teams.

"So, if Asian teams work hard and continue to develop, one day they will have success at the World Cup."

The recent rise of Asian nations at World Cups such as South Korea and Japan has coincided with an influx of talent from those nations heading to Europe, to varying degrees of success.

Park, who left Kyoto Sanga in 2002 for PSV Eindhoven before joining United in 2005, added succeeding in Europe was a challenge for Asian players on multiple levels.

"Some players aren't able to show their ability in Europe but some players can - I think the most important quality in the successful players is that they are mentally strong," he said.

"Also, there is an element of luck involved - sometimes teams are doing well and sometimes they are not. If you have luck on your side and are strong mentally, you can succeed in Europe."

He continued: "The most important thing you have to do (to be successful) is work hard, but the players also need to have the ability to play in Europe.

"The biggest thing for Asian players to remember is the football style is different in Europe - as is the culture - so they have to accept that. Mentally, they need to be ready, and very strong." 

Ferguson won't be drawn on title talk

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Manchester: Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his Manchester United players to ignore Roberto Mancini's claim they can effectively wrap up another Premier League title this weekend.

United, chasing a record 20th crown, will go eight points clear at the summit if they overcome struggling QPR at Old Trafford on Sunday before Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

City manager Mancini, who has seen his expensively-assembled side lose momentum over the last few weeks, admitted on Thursday that his side will have no chance of catching United if they defeat QPR and his side lose at Arsenal.

But Ferguson, asked about Mancini's comments at a press conference on Friday, refused to be drawn into more mind games with the Italian after their recent verbal sparring.

"I'm not getting into that. I don't need to get into that," Ferguson said.

"We must concentrate on the game ahead and that's Queens Park Rangers. We'll focus on that, not worry about elsewhere."

United are strong favourites to win the title for the fifth time in six seasons after hitting a fine run of form.

Ferguson's side have taken 31 points from the last 33 available since losing at Newcastle on January 4, and are considered to have an easier run-in to rivals City. But the United manager is taking nothing for granted.

"I wouldn't anticipate complacency (from my players) but I do think if your concentration is not 100 per cent then there will be moments in games like we experienced recently against Fulham," he said.

"Four or five of our player gave the ball away in the space of about five minutes and it created a bit of nervousness.

"We survived that. I made the point that it was good for us to have that because that is an indication of how the games are going to be between now and the end of the season."

QPR, managed by former United star Mark Hughes, are fighting against relegation.

United had to wait until the final 10 minutes before scoring twice to seal victory at relegation-threatened Blackburn on Monday, and Ferguson believes his players will again have to show patience on Sunday.

He added: "It won't be easy because it's another game against a team fighting for survival. They're never easy.

"It wasn't easy on Monday and I don't mind if we have to wait until the final 10 minutes again to win on Sunday.

"QPR have beaten both Liverpool and Arsenal recently and knowing Mark, he's a fighter and his team will fight.

"As much as we're looking forward to the game, it's going to be a hard one."

Ferguson also revealed Portugal winger Nani could be involved after being sidelined for the last five games with an ankle problem.

"He's been training all week. He's such a talented player and makes the squad that bit stronger," said Ferguson.