QPR manager Harry Redknapp said he replaced Esteban Granero against Manchester United because the midfielder picked up a minor injury.
Redknapp took the Spaniard off at half-time and sent Jermaine Jenas on in his place.
“He got a bit of a knock. He took a bang early in the game and was struggling with it,” Redknapp explained.
Meanwhile, Rangers are monitoring an ankle injury suffered by Bobby Zamora, who was substituted during the second half.
They are hopeful the striker, who has been nursing an ongoing hip problem, will be fit for next weekend’s crucial match against fellow strugglers Southampton.
Rangers’ 2-0 defeat against the Premier League leaders meant they remain in perilous trouble, but Redknapp insisted they were unfortunate to go behind to a wonderful strike from Rafael.
He said: “We were bang in the game and then the little right-back scored a worldy that he’ll never score again.
“I thought we worked hard again. Yes, United did what they needed to, but I thought we were in the match.”
Football News 24/7