Manchester United went eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League thanks to a hugely controversial 2-0 win over 10-man QPR at Old Trafford.

The visitors never had a chance once referee Lee Mason had deemed Shaun Derry's 13th-minute challenge on Ashley Young worthy of a red card and a penalty, which would have been a debatable call anyway even without the United man receiving the ball in a clear offside position.

Wayne Rooney rammed home the penalty but it took a Paul Scholes piledriver midway through the second half to seal a victory which keeps QPR above the relegation zone on goal difference.

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