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Ryan Giggs made his Manchester United debut and scored his first competitive goal before Rafael da Silva had even reached his first birthday.
One turns 40 this year, the other is 22 - and both netted to send their side into a surely unassailable 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Victory for the champions-elect means ongoing misery for Queens Park Rangers, adrift at the foot of the table.
Wonder goal: Rafael celebrates scoring in the first half to give United the lead
MATCH FACTS
QPR: Julio Cesar, Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore, Mbia, Granero (Jenas 46), Mackie, Taarabt, Townsend (Hoilett 72), Zamora (Remy 61).
Subs Not Used: Green,Park, Wright-Phillips, Onuoha.
Man Utd: De Gea,Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Young (Valencia 67), van Persie (Welbeck 41), Hernandez (Rooney 61).
Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Evans, Anderson, Cleverley.
Goals: Da Silva 23, Giggs 80.
Referee: Anthony Taylor
The chasm between the league leaders and QPR is an astonishing 51 points, but the more important number for QPR is seven.
They are seven points from safety with 11 games to go. United denied them anything here after Rafael slammed home a 25- yard screamer in the first half and Giggs sealed the win with a smart, low finish after good build-up play 10 minutes from the end.
Including games for Manchester United, Wales and Great Britain, Giggs has now played in 999 senior competitive matches - but it is QPR who face an emergency.
Manager Harry Redknapp said United are now 'certainties' to clinch the title.
'Of course they'll win it,' he said, before insisting that QPR will escape relegation. 'This result leaves us bottom but we won't be bottom at the end of the season,' he said. 'I still think we'll get out of it.'
Redknapp believes QPR's problems this season can be attributed to a lack of fit strikers.
With Bobby Zamora now back from long-term injury, he expects a change in fortunes. Zamora started his first game since October.
Pick that one out: Redknapp described Rafael's goal as a 'worldie'
Head to head: Rio Ferdinand and Rafael celebrate the Brazilian's wonder goal
'We don't score any goals, we haven't got any forwards,' said Redknapp, adding that he hopes Zamora and Loic Remy will now forge a season-saving partnership.
'With 11 games to go, there's still everything to play for,' he said. 'I'm still optimistic. You probably think I'm mad - I hope the players share my optimism. I know many people will have written us off, but I still think we've got a chance.'
Redknapp's counterpart and old friend Sir Alex Ferguson added: 'If anyone can do it [keep QPR up], it's Harry.'
Pain game: Robin van Persie collides with a cameraman
Concern: Robin van Persie receives treatment on the touchline after picking up an injury
Ouch! Van Persie receives medical treatment after his collision
QPR's owner Tony Fernandes, who faces a nightmare financial scenario if his club are relegated because of the massive wage bill he has amassed in an attempt to stay up, said he is optimistic of survival and tweeted 'I'm still smiling'.
Redknapp was critical of his club's bobbly pitch, saying it was difficult to play on and that this necessitated a route-one approach. 'We've got to play balls forward to Bobby Zamora at every opportunity,' he said.
The QPR manager was generous in his praise for United's scorers, however.
'I thought we were bang in the game until suddenly their right-back hit a goal the like of which he'll probably never score again.'
Rolling back the years: Ryan Giggs makes it 2-0 with a delicate chip
Forever young: Ryan Giggs made it 2-0 to Manchester United
On Giggs, who turns 40 in November, Redknapp added: 'He's just an amazing player, a great professional, top drawer.'
United controlled large passages of play while rarely hitting top gear. They had the lion's share of the chances in a match during which both goalkeepers were forced to make some fine saves.
Face in the crowd: Roy Hodgson was at Loftus Road to cast his eye over a number of players ahead of England's World Cup qualifying double header with San Marino and Montenegro
United's first significant chance came in the 16th minute when Ashley Young flighted the ball into the area and Javier Hernandez's backward header was on a trajectory to dip just under the crossbar before Julio Cesar tipped it over.
Three minutes later, QPR's Stephane Mbia lost the ball in his own half. He gifted possession to Nani, who set up Hernandez but he just failed to make contact.
Stop there: Nani tackles Armand Traore during United's win
The opening goal was created by Robin van Persie running into the box and letting fly with a close-range shot that Cesar could only parry.
The ball fell to Rafael outside the area and the young Brazilian smashed it powerfully home. Cesar had no chance as the shot flew into the top-left corner.
Tangled up: Patrice Evra challenges Stephane Mbia
Cesar produced another fine save to thwart Van Persie 12 minutes later, just a few moments after Rafael had cleared a QPR header from Chris Samba off the line at the other end.
QPR's best chance came from substitute Remy in the 64th minute. He jinked into the box and smacked his effort goalward, bringing a double-fisted clearance from David de Gea.
No way through: Clint Hill stops Van Persie in his tracks
Giggs's goal ended a move which was started by Wayne Rooney. He lost possession but Danny Welbeck quickly retrieved the ball before passing on to Nani. The winger fed Giggs, who duly scored.
Giggs later chipped on to the bar but the game - and probably the title - was already decided.
