As QPR prepare to face Manchester United Ash takes a look back at a memorable match (guess which one?) and some players that have played for both clubs.

Gareth Ainsworth enhanced his chances of getting a full time crack as Rangers boss with a somewhat fortunate victory over Cardiff at the weekend, and if he carries on his solid start tonight then he may just convince Flavio and the board he is indeed the real deal.

Yes the wait is over, Rangers enter the unknown territory of the Carling Cup Fourth round at the home of English and European champions Manchester United in just a few hours time. Having seen the United squad for the game it seems Alex Ferguson will be using the match to blood a few youngsters and fringe players, possibly giving the R’s a sniff of another upset. However the bad news is that squad also boasts the names of international names like Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Tevez and one Wayne Rooney. Can Rangers and Ainsworth really do the impossible and win at Old Trafford? Well if we know one thing as Rangers fans, it’s that anything could happen when it comes to QPR.

Memorable Match
Manchester United 1-4 QPR
1 January 1992
First Division
Ok not a cup game but how could I look back at memorable matches between the two and not reflect on one of the greatest victories in QPR history. New Year’s Day 1992 was the day when Rangers travelled to Manchester to face title chasers United in a game screened live on ITV. I was nine years old, watching at my Nan’s house with my father and even at such a young age I still can remember the joy of beating a team many thought would win the league so convincingly.

Both teams came into the game in good form, Rangers were in the middle of a six match unbeaten run, including a useful point at home to the previous season’s runners up Liverpool. United had embarked on a nine game unbeaten run themselves, which included an excellent draw away to rivals and title contenders Leeds United, keeping the title race poised perfectly going into the New Year. A point on a ground the R’s had never won on would be deemed a really good result.

In fact it was Rangers that started brighter, and stunned Old Trafford by taking the lead after just three minutes. Roy Wegerle`s mazy run down the right found Simon Barker in space, who fed the ball inside to Andy Sinton, and the left-winger beat Peter Schmeichel by rolling the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Moments later unbelievably Rangers doubled their lead, Andy Sinton’s clever flick on found space for forward Dennis Bailey who then shrugged off Clayton Blackmore with ease before sending in a powerful effort which Schmeichel could only parry into his own net.

Rangers continued to create chances but went into the break two goals to the good and expecting a United backlash after a half-time tongue-lashing from Alex Ferguson. Hughes went close immediately from the kick off by on the hour mark Rangers caught the Red Devils on the counter attack, Sinton once again tickled through an inviting pass which Bailey pounced upon and fired into the net in magnificent fashion, it really was 3-0 to the Superhoops.

With eight minutes to go United pulled a goal back through Brian McClair but the stage was set for Dennis Bailey to have the last word and complete a memorable hat-trick. That man Sinton again the creator as his shot was tipped onto the post after a defensive mix-up between Blackmoore and Parker only for Bailey to tap in the rebound a collect the match ball. It was Man U’s heaviest home defeat since 1978 and Bailey was the last man to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford until David Bentley did two seasons ago.

Man Utd: Schmeichel, Parker, Blackmore, Bruce, Pallister, Webb, Ince, Phelan (Giggs), McClair, Hughes, Sharpe.

QPR: Stejskal, Bardsley, Wilson, Wilkins, Peacock, McDonald, Holloway, Barker, Bailey, Wegerle, Sinton.

Postscript: United took Leeds all the way in league but finished runners up in the last season before the Premier League. Rangers finished in a respectable twelfth position, and beat champions Leeds United 4-1 as well, but the season will always be remembered for that incredible game.

Connections
Ray Wilkins
Man Utd 1979-84
QPR 1989-94 & 1994-96
Ray ‘Butch’ Wilkins started life on the other side of West London at rivals Chelsea. Making his debut for the Blues in October 1973 he became their youngest ever captain as an eighteen year-old just a season later. He was the linchpin of a young Chelsea team that won promotion to the top-flight and consolidated their top-flight status the following year. Unfortunately for them it only lasted one season as they were relegated the next season and after manger Eddie McCreadie left, debt-ridden Chelsea sold their star midfielder Wilkins to Manchester United for £800,000.

In his five seasons at Old Trafford, Wilkins became one of the finest English midfielders of his generation, earning international recognition including playing in the 1982 World Cup and winning the FA Cup the following year, scoring a peach of a goal in the final against Brighton. His exploits for club and country got Wilkins noticed and his style of play was perfectly suited to the European game, so it was no surprise that a team like AC Milan signed him in 1984. He spent three years at the San Siro winning the Copa Italia and again represented England at the World Cup in Mexixo 86, becoming the first ever England star to be sent off in a World Cup game in the process when he threw the ball at the match official.

After a brief stint at PSG, Wilkins then moved to Rangers nabbing two Scottish League titles and two Scottish cups before he returned to England in 1989 signing for Don Howe’s Queens Park Rangers. Now in his mid-thirties he became the experience head in a young Rangers side for first Howe then Gerry Francis. He may have lost some of his pace but his vision and football brain was an important part of the R’s side that would go on to finish fifth as top London club in the first ever Premier League season. Wilkins left Loftus Road in 1994 for Crystal Palace but didn’t stay long and returned to QPR as player/manager just months after leaving replacing Francis in the hot-seat.

Unfortunately for Ray his spell in charge will be remembered as the manager who was in charge of the side that was relegated from the Premier League in 1996. His failure to replace Les Ferdinand and decision to spend the money on mis-fits like Simon Osborne and Ned Zelic led to Rangers’ demise. Wilkins was sacked after the R’s relegation and has since managed Fulham and been assistant manager at Watford, and Millwall. He is currently Phil Scloari’s number two at his first club Chelsea.
Magic R’s moment: A rare diving header in a 6-1 romp of Luton in the 1990/91 season under Don Howe.

Paul Parker
QPR 1987-1991
Man Utd 1991-1996
Whilst we look at the current side and long for more quality from our full-backs in Paul Parker we had one of such genuine quality he would go down as one of Rangers best. Equally at home as a centre-back despite his lack of height in was in this position he started his footballing career with Fulham. He was with the Cottagers for five seasons before moving across West London to QPR with Dean Coney for a joint fee of £500,000. It was at Rangers he established himself as a defender with tremendous speed and astute reading of the game, he could also out-jump the tallest of defenders even though he was smaller then most. He made 125 league appearances for the R’s playing at either the heart of the defence with Alan McDonald or at right-back where he would excel for club and then country.

Bobby Robson gave him his England debut against Albania in 1989 and would go on to represent England at the 1990 World Cup forming a decent partnership with Chris Waddle down England’s right flank. His performances soon alerted the big boys and the £2 million Man United offered the R’s in 1992 was too good to turn down. At Old Trafford Parker went on to win two Premier League title medals and an FA Cup medal before injuries the emergence of Gary Neville pushed him out the first team picture for both United and England. He eventually left for Derby before enjoying stints at Sheffield United, Fulham and Chelsea. Had a brief role behind the scenes at Loftus Road but can now be seen as the ambassador of Sentata Sports coverage of the Blue Square Premier League.
Magic R’s Moment: Funnily enough in the same game as Wilkins, his one and only goal in the 6-1 win over Luton that involved a neat one-two outside the box.

Others:
Reg Allen QPR 1938-1950, Man Utd 1950-55. Passed away in April 1976
Dave McCreery Man Utd 1974-79, QPR 1979-81. Now unknown
Don Givens Man Utd 1969-70, QPR 1972-78. Now Ireland U21 manager.
Gordon Hill Man Utd 1975-78, QPR 1979-81. Now a football coach in America
Gary Micklewhite Man Utd 1978-79, QPR 1979-85. Now unknown
Alan Brazil Man Utd 1984-86, QPR 1986. Now a pundit on TalkSport
Nick Culkin Man Utd 1995-02, QPR 2002-05. Now retired through injury
John Curtis Man Utd 1997-00, QPR 2007. Now on trial at Notts County
Danny Nardiello Man Utd 2000-05, QPR 2007-08. Now at Blackpool
Kieran Lee Man Utd 2006-08, QPR (loan) 2008. Now at Oldham
Tommy Docherty QPR (manager) 1968 & 1979-80, Man Utd (manager) 1972-77. Now retired
Dave Sexton QPR (manager) 1974-77, Man Utd (manager) 1977-81. Now works for the FA

Fans’ Memories
For me its the fact I went there times from 1985 (Fergie’s first home game) until the Sky FA cup game in 1991, the best I saw was a couple of goaless draws, the season I didn't go we won 4-1. Also remember Bryan Robson swallowing his tongue in one game, and a couple of the games refereed by Keith Hackett, possibly the most Biased performances I have ever seen. -loftboy

Remember being there in 1995 relegation season when Dichio scored. They were building one of the new stands there and had a very large lump of steel suspended above the away end on a crane - very unnerving! Also the cup quarter final when 12 of us travelled up in the back of a carpet van on PE benches ‘borrowed’ from a local school – I got to sit in the front because I was only 11! It's just an endless tale of heartbreak and poor refereeing with us and them isn't it. Remember Bradley Allen giving us the lead there once and after equalising Cantona won it after Mark Hughes gave Peacock an almighty shove out the way as he went to tackle him with the referee looking right at it. Also the infamous 98th minute equaliser at Loftus Road that relegated us. Irritating. -Northernr

This will be my 13th trip to United with Rangers. The 4-1 was amazing but the 95 Cup game was nearly as good because there were so many of us. Paul Ince is a w@nker... -zranger

1-1 draw in 1990/91? Les Sealy making one of his first ever Man Utd appearences. Stejskal getting confused with the Czech for mine and yours (or something, his excuse!) and palming the ball low two-handed to current United Assistant Manager Michael Phelan who said thanks and promptly hit it back over his head into the net. -Metallica

I remember us all singing 'Les Sealy's homosexual' He got really shitty and flicked the V's at us, which wasn't a good move as we then sang it non stop! Paul Ince is a Twunt. -Weymouth

For me it has to be the 1-1 at Loftus Road. I was 11 years old at the time and was looking forward to going to school on Monday with a 1-0 win to finally have some ammunition over the kids who supported United. Low and behold, six minutes of added time and they bloody well score. Typical QPR I thought. Always loved supporting a so called smaller team at school though, very proud. I made a time capsule at school that year and I put the programme to this game in it, god knows why. -Onesize

I think everyone was drunk that day. Ince was at his dirty, niggling best. I remember Dennis Irwin's peach of a free kick - as soon as he hit it, you new what was going to happen. I can't remember when during the game or if something started i.e. dodgy challenge. But Ince used to wind up everyone and was really hated by everyone up and down the country - well, everyone hated United. Then it started and continued and continued. Little rendition tomorrow night would be funny. -Charlie

To add your memories e-mail us loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk, use the commenting facility below or post on the message board thread.

Photo: Action Images

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