QPR V Man Utd at Loftus Road Stadium : LIVE

17 January 2015 08:55
QPR V Man Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Wright-Phillips "needs to move on"

Shaun Wright-Phillips is happier sitting on a "fantastic contract" than leaving QPR for first-team football, according to boss Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp rejected complaints from Wright-Phillips he is in the dark over why he has featured just once at Rangers this season.

The QPR manager revealed the 33-year-old has rejected numerous chances to leave Loftus Road, despite Redknapp telling him he "needs to move on".

Redknapp addressed Wright-Phillips' concerns while also claiming "I take no notice" of rumours he is one game away from the sack.

"I've told Shaun, of course I've told him, he needs to go on loan or move permanently," said Redknapp, ahead of QPR hosting Manchester United in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash.

"But he's not going to move when he's got a fantastic contract.

"Let's all sit and talk straight, when you're earning X amount of pounds, and someone wants to give you money that's nowhere near that, you're not going to go are you?

"It's no-one's fault that Shaun's got a great contract, good luck to him, someone gave it to him.

"It's all about opinions, someone else could come in and put Sean straight in the team. That's the game.

"He played for me when I first came here in the Premier League, I've got no problems with him, I like him an awful lot. If I didn't, I'd say so.

"He comes out, trains well, works hard, earns fantastic money, he's got a great contract, good luck to him.

"When he's had a chance on loan, Blackburn, Bolton, Charlton, they've come in for him and he's said 'I'm not interested', he didn't want to know. He wouldn't consider it. He doesn't want to go on loan.

"But even a permanent deal, who's going to pay the same money he has here? It's difficult.

"But let's be honest, you can't blame the boy. No-one's blaming him; he's got a great contract.

"In the long-term he needs to move on and play football, and I've said that to him many times."

Midfielder Niko Kranjcar has recovered from thigh trouble ahead of the clash with Manchester United at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Armand Traore will miss out with a toe problem, while Sandro (knee) and Yun Suk-Young (ankle) are both still sidelined.

Unsettled attacking midfielder Adel Taarabt could feature again after coming in from the cold for QPR's 2-1 defeat at Burnley last weekend.

Robin van Persie has a slim chance of playing after Louis van Gaal revealed the Manchester United striker only suffered a "minor" ankle injury against Southampton last weekend.

If Van Persie is ruled out, either Radamel Falcao or James Wilson is likely to come into the starting XI.

Defenders Rafael (cheekbone) and Marcos Rojo (thigh) are in contention after recovering from their respective injuries but wing-back Ashley Young is unavailable because of a hamstring problem.

Van Gaal has ordered Falcao to show him why he deserves a future at Manchester United.

United were hailed as the big winners on deadline day last September when they beat at host of their rivals to sign Falcao on a B#6million loan deal from Monaco.

United chartered a private jet to fly the coveted striker over from the principality and the two-time Ballon d'Or nominee was given a standing ovation and a loud roar from the United fans when he made his debut against QPR.

Going into the reverse fixture this weekend, the tables have turned somewhat.

To the bemusement of many fans, a fully-fit Falcao was left out of the squad for last week's 1-0 defeat against Southampton, with Van Gaal preferring to put three centre-backs and 19-year-old James Wilson on the bench instead.

Van Gaal stands by his decision and at a frosty press conference on Friday warned Falcao he still has to demonstrate he is worth more game time, and a permanent move to Old Trafford.

"He has to prove himself, that we have agreed," said the United manager, who has the option to buy the striker for B#43.5million at the end of the season.

"We have made this deal and everything is clear and it is not the end of the year so he has the chance for that."

In 2013 Monaco paid no less than B#50million to sign the striker, who is reported to be on around B#280,000 a week at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal could not care less about how much the player is worth though.

"If a player costs B#95million or B#5,000 it's not any difference for me," the Dutchman said.

"You have to prove yourself. A player of B#95million has to prove himself also."


Source: PA