Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones out for United clash with QPR
Manchester United hope to take another step towards a 20th title, while main rivals City face a tough assignment at home against Chelsea
Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones as they aim to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points with victory at bottom club Queens Park Rangers today.
Rooney, who has scored 10 goals in his last 11 starts, has a sinus problem, while Jones injured his ankle in Monday's 2-1 win at home to Reading in the FA Cup fifth round.
With progress in the FA Cup secured and a healthy 1-1 draw recorded in last week's trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16, United can now refocus their attention on the quest for a 20th league crown.
The trip to Loftus Road is the first of five consecutive games in which United will face sides currently residing in the table's bottom half, before a potential title decider at home to nearest rivals Manchester City on April 8.
With City facing an awkward game at home to third-place Chelsea tomorrow, a United victory at QPR could represent a decisive blow in the title race.
However, having seen his side squander an eight-point lead over City last season, United manager Alex Ferguson has warned his players to concentrate on the task in hand.