Manchester United threw down the gauntlet to Manchester City by reclaiming top spot in the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win at QPR.
Wayne Rooney scored his 15th goal of the season after just 52 seconds and the champions missed a succession of chances before Michael Carrick's first top-flight goal for almost two years all but sealed the points.
United could easily have scored six against a QPR side who twice went close themselves through Heidar Helguson and also saw substitute DJ Campbell miss the easiest of volleys.
Source: PA
