Manchester United Defeats QPR 2-0: 7 Things We Learned About United

Manchester United briefly returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday.

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick did the damage for Sir Alex Ferguson's team, who would have romped home far more comfortably but for their wastefulness in front of goal.

For QPR, the loss made it one point from their last four games and left Neil Warnock's side languishing in 15th, just three points outside the relegation zone.

Here are seven things we learned about United.

1. Welbeck Gives United Focus

Danny Welbeck will be disappointed he didn't score at Loftus Road, but a couple of missed chances shouldn't take away from an athletic and purposeful performance from the 21-year-old.

Welbeck's strength with his back to goal makes him a good link-up player, and his runs off it create space for his teammates.

The question now is whether he can keep his place with Javier Hernandez back in the fold.

Hernandez is the better finisher, but it might just be that Welbeck brings a greater fluidity to United's play.

Expect the pair to be rotated in the coming weeks.

2. Valencia Is Getting Closer

Antonio Valencia has taken a while to get going this season, but in the last two games he's started to look a lot more like the player who impressed so greatly in United's 2010-11 title-winning campaign.

Valencia showed some fine touches at Loftus Road and was an imposing physical presence on the flank.

As well as offering a threat going forward, he also provides excellent defensive cover, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for a sustained run of form from the 26-year-old now.

3. Carrick Consistency

Michael Carrick struggles for popularity among United fans, and when you consider Sunday's goal was his first in 70 appearances, you get part of the reason as to why.

Maybe Sunday's convincing strike will prompt a few of his doubters to give the midfielder a second chance.

Moreover, maybe the goal will convince Carrick himself to be more ambitious and dynamic going forward.

With United short on midfielders and Ferguson seemingly reticent to spend in the January window, Carrick could be in with a great opportunity to cement his place in both the team and the hearts of their fans.

To do so, he needs to continue the consistency of his last two performances and make clear the fire in his belly.

4. Finishing School

United weren't troubled in their 2-0 win, but against better opposition may well have paid the price for their profligacy in front of goal.

Phil Jones, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans all missed chances to put the game to bed, and as a result United remained vulnerable to a game-changing goal.

Moreover, Sir Alex Ferguson will bemoan a great chance to improve him team's goal difference.

Shooting practise on Monday morning, methinks.

5. Jones Growing in Confidence

Phil Jones, the midfielder, gained in credibility with another barnstorming performance at United's hub.

The 19-year-old was full of running and together with Michael Carrick helped United dominate the central areas at Loftus Road.

It's only a matter of time before Jones' surging forward runs start to deliver goals on a regular basis.

The question is whether he'll be allowed to remain in midfield or moved back into defence before it happens.

If he continues in this vein, Sir Alex Ferguson will have little choice but to persevere with him centrally. After all, where better for his future captain than in the middle of the park?

6. Evra Vulnerable

Sky Sports analysts were right to point out Patrice Evra's defensive lapses on Sunday.

The Frenchman has been shaky all season for United and appears to be losing concentration too easily and drifting out of position.

Fortunately for United, QPR weren't potent enough to expose Evra with a goal, but better opposition will be ready to punish their captain in future.

7. Rooney Thriving

Hopefully we've seen the last of Wayne Rooney the central midfielder.

On Sunday, he was in his element, prowling in support of Danny Welbeck and free to link play wherever he chose.

It's in that role, we get the best out of Rooney.

He's free to get forward and score goals, as he did inside a minute, and also to drop back and set attacks in motion from deep.