Queens Park Rangers headed in to Saturday's trip to Manchester United in the Premier League with a new manager as Harry Redknapp was named as Mark Hughes's successor just hours before kickoff.
Redknapp didn't take charge of the team for the game at Old Trafford but he was in the stands to see his side take a 1-0 lead through Jamie Mackie.
However, three goals in eight minutes for an under-par United saw the hosts leapfrog rivals Manchester City at the top of the table.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in our minute-by-minute report below.
Hello there and a big Sports Mole welcome to you on this rather miserable Saturday as Manchester United welcome Queens Park Rangers to Old Trafford in the Premier League.
As you might have heard, QPR have appointed Harry Redknapp as their new manager following the sacking of Mark Hughes yesterday. 'Arry has revealed that he won't be taking charge of the side today, but that he will be at the match to watch his new players.
All in all it's been quite a whirlwind 24 hours at Loftus Road. Hughes' dismissal didn't surprise many considering their woeful start to the season. To remind ourselves, the R's have failed to win a match in their opening 12 games and currently sit at the bottom of the table.
However, Redknapp has made a career out of getting sides in the winning habit and he's sure to have given the QPR squad an instant boost with the knowledge that he will be watching them today.
To be honest, the Rangers players are going to need all the help they can get today as they visit a Manchester United side who have lost their last two games and will be in determined mood to get a win on the board this afternoon.
We've got some team news for you...
Man Utd: Lindegaard; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Young, Fletcher, Scholes; Rooney, Welbeck, Van Persie
Subs: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Anderson, Cleverley, Powell, Chicharito
Subs: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Anderson, Cleverley, Powell, Chicharito
The big news for United is that Wayne Rooney is back in the starting lineup. The striker was absent from last weekend's defeat at Norwich and Wednesday's loss at Galatasaray due to a bout of tonsillitis.
QPR: Cesar; Mbia, Hill, Nelsen, Traore; Derry; Faurlin, Mackie, Taarabt; Dyer, Cisse
Mark Hughes's assistant Mark Bowen has selected the team for today's match and Armand Traore, Antolin Faurlin and Adel Taarabt are the only players to survive from last weekend's damaging 3-1 defeat to Southampton.
You'll also have noticed that Kieron Dyer has been given a rare start for QPR. The former England international has not started a match since August.
Going back to last season and United took six points from the R's. Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win at Loftus Road, while Rooney was on target again with Paul Scholes during a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.
The home side's record over today's visitors makes for some scary reading if you're a QPR fan. Their last win came 20 years ago when Dennis Bailey scored a famous hat-trick at Old Trafford in a 4-1 triumph.
Bailey's achievement that day remains unique in that he is the only player to score a hat-trick on the Red Devils' home turf in the league.
United's dominance over QPR in recent seasons has seen them win 10 of their last 11 encounters. The last time that the R's got anything against today's aopponents was in a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road 1996.
Those at Old Trafford today will have noticed a giant bronze figure with its arms crossed staring down at them. It is of course the statue of manager Sir Alex Ferguson that was unveiled yesterday.
The commission was to mark the Scot's 26 years at the club and the event was attended by a number of United legends including Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, Bryan Robson, Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Irwin.
There's not too much that hasn't been said about Ferguson's achievements at United but you can be sure that the past 26 years will be at the back of his mind today as he looks for a win that would take his team back to the top of the table, at least until tomorrow when leaders Manchester City travel to Chelsea.
We've had our first Premier League result of the day come through at the Stadium of Light and West Brom have moved up to third place with a 4-2 win over Sunderland. Steve Clarke is making this management game look easy, isn't he?
Right then, prediction time. I'm expecting QPR to put up a solid showing with Harry Redknapp in the stands, but I can't see beyond United winning this one. Knowing that they can top the table with a win, I think the home side will come out on top.
The players are in the tunnel and are ready to make their way out onto the Old Trafford pitch (which is looking in excellent condition, by the way).
And we have our first shots of Redknapp, signing autographs for supporters. QPR chief executive Philip Beard is alongside him.
We're having a delay here because QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar had the wrong kit on. You couldn't make it up.
Cesar emerges with the right kit and the players make their way out into the Theatre of Dreams.
It'll be United to get us underway...
The hosts go on the attack straight away, but some neat passing around the box eventually comes undone.
QPR have barely had a touch in these opening stages.
Evra puts in a decent cross that's intended for the head of Welbeck, but the visiting defence gets the ball away.
QPR have a corner here after Ferdinand gets in some trouble. The defender slipped with Mackie in attendance and the ball goes behind.
Ferdinand makes amends though as he hacks the ball away at the front post.
Scholes tries an ambitious ball to Van Persie, but he overhits it and QPR have a goal kick.
When QPR do have the ball they're giving it away carelessly. Mackie is the latest to do so as he asks too much of Cisse.
Scholes is walking a tightrope here. The veteran midfielder has put in two of his trademark hacks but referee Lee Probert decides to keep the cards in his pocket. For now.
Young slips a wonderful ball through to Rafael, but the Brazilian's cross is cut out.
CHANCE! First decent opportunity of the game goes United's way. Van Persie shows great control in the box but can't get his shot away. Scholes is in there trying to pick up the pieces but is put off by Derry and Cesar gathers.
The hosts have a corner now as Traore heads away. It's a good delivery from Van Persie, though QPR manage to clear.
CHANCE! Some sections of Old Trafford think it's in but Van Persie can only power the ball into the sidenetting at the near post from Welbeck's cross.
QPR have their first crack at goal and it's a tame one from Taarabt that's easily collected by Lindegaard.
The rain's starting to come down hard at Old Trafford...
Mbia's off the pitch for now receiving treatment on what looks to be an ankle injury.
United get their second corner of the contest and it's another dangerous delivery from Van Persie, but again it's cleared.
CHANCE! Scholes opts not to have a shot a goal and instead lays it off to Young who is lurking on the edge of the area. The winger swings a left foot at it, only to see his volley fly narrowly wide of Cesar's left post.
QPR have a threatening counter attack as Mackie dispossesses Scholes before surging towards goal. However, the ball's nicked off him by Evans just as he's about to pull the trigger.
The visitors are certainly making the home side work for it here.
CHANCE! Evra makes a run into the area and is played in by Van Persie, but his shot on the angle is saved by Cesar. The goalkeeper is called into action again moments later as he blocks Rooney's effort with his legs.
Lindegaard is one hand at the other end now as he collects Traore's cross.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Mackie has the ball in the net but is judged to have been in an offside position when he headed in Cisse's cross.
It's getting lively at Old Trafford!
QPR get a corner, though it's Van Persie who's at the near post to hammer the ball away.
There's a bit of trouble here between Shaun Derry, Ashley Young and Clint Hill. The United winger is claiming that he was brought down by Hill in the area but nothing is given.
Young was criticised for diving in this fixture last season following a challenge from Derry and I don't think the QPR players have forgotten that.
QPR plough forward now on the break but Mackie's fizzing drive is blocked by Evans.
We'll have two minutes of added time...
HALF TIME: Man Utd 0-0 QPR
It's been a frustrating first 45 minutes for Manchester United as they go in goalless with QPR at the break. The hosts have had the better chances but Julio Cesar has been up to the task in goal for the visitors, who have looked dangerous on the break. This one is by no means a foregone conclusion.
Can anyone else hear a hairdryer?
There are three other Premier League matches currently taking place, so here are the half-time scores...
PREMIER LEAGUE HALF-TIME SCORES: Everton 1-0 Norwich
Stoke 1-0 Fulham
Wigan 0-1 Reading
Stoke 1-0 Fulham
Wigan 0-1 Reading
There was also an early kickoff in the Premier League today and West Brom are now up to third place in the table thanks to a 4-2 win at Sunderland.
The players are out for the second half and neither side has made any changes. It'll be QPR to get us going...
Harry Redknapp is still in the stands, I wonder what he'll have made of that opening 45 minutes?
Young, who wasn't particularly effective in the first half, overhits a pass to Welbeck and it's out for a goal kick.
Cesar proves that he is Brazilian as he cheekily dribbles the ball past the oncoming Rooney following a backpass.
United put pressure on their opponents around the edge of the box, but the move breaks down. Rooney was in the thick of it there.
GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 QPR (Mackie)
Would you believe it?! QPR lead through Jamie Mackie! Taarabt feeds the ball out to Dyer and his low cross is turned in by the striker. Old Trafford is stunned.
CHANCE! QPR have a great opportunity to grab a second as Cisse leads a quick counter attack, but the striker opts to shoot instead of play in Mackie and the effort is blocked.
BOOKING: Scholes goes into the book for a cynical hack on Dyer and that means a one-match ban for the midfielder.
BOOKING: Mbia receives a yellow card now for his trip on Evra.
SUBSTITUTIONS: United make their first changes as Paul Scholes and Ashley Young and replaced by Anderson and Javier Hernandez.
SUBSTITUTION: Anton Ferdinand comes on for Armand Traore and the defender's first job will be to defend and United corner.
Van Persie whips the ball in and Cesar punches clear.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 QPR (Evans)
Old Trafford erupts as Jonny Evans gets United on terms. Van Persie's deep corner was headed back into the six yard box by Rafael and Evans was there to nod home. Game on.
CHANCE! the whole complexion of the game has changed now and it's Fletcher who goes close with a powerful 15-yard drive that flies narrowly over the crossbar.
Corner for United...
GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 QPR (Fletcher)
Wouldn't you just know it? United come from behind yet again and it's Darren Fletcher who heads in from Van Persie's corner. Considering all of his health issues, you can't begrudge the Scot that goal.
Old Trafford had the atmosphere of a morgue about 10 minutes ago but now the stadium is rocking thanks to two goals in five minutes. You get the feeling that QPR aren't out of this one yet though...
GOAL! Man Utd 3-1 QPR (Hernandez)
The two substitutes combine to extend United's lead. Anderson makes a marauding run forward before he slides in Hernandez and the Mexican makes no mistake when given a sight of goal.
SUBSTITUTION: QPR make their second change shortly after the goal as Junior Hoilett replaces a a rather unhappy-looking Adel Taarabt.
QPR get a half chance with Dyer, but he can't pick out Cisse waiting in the area and the danger is averted.
SUBSTITUTION: Danny Welbeck is off now in place of Nick Powell for the hosts.
CHANCE! Hernandez gets the ball from Ferdinand out on the left, but the Mexican's cross to Van Persie is cut out.
SUBSTITUTION: A final switch for QPR now as Estban Granero comes on for Alejandro Faurlin.
Five minutes plus stoppage time to play here at Old Trafford.
CHANCE! QPR threatening late on as Mackie's effort is snuffed out by Evans. Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp's seen enough and he is out of here. He's sure to be encouraged by what he's seen but there's also plenty of work to do with his new squad.
OFF THE LINE! Rafael spares United's blushes there as he nods away Hill's header from a corner. Some poor marking gave the QPR defender a chance there.
We'll have four minutes of added time...
Two minutes into stoppage time and United are just running down the clock.
CHANCE! Van Persie has a final crack at goal but Derry heroically throws himself in front of the ball.
FULL TIME: Man Utd 3-1 QPR
The full-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and Manchester United temporarily move to the Premier League table. There's no denying that they were woeful during the first 60 minutes of the match and they were punished when Jamie Mackie put QPR head. However, the introductions of Javier Hernandez and Anderson swung the game in the home side's favour and three goals in eight minutes saw them earn the three points.
Anyway, that's all from me for this afternoon. Don't forget that we have live text coverage of Arsenal's trip to Aston Villa, which you can catch all the build up to right now ahead of their 5.30pm kickoff. Thanks again for joining us and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
