Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick felt they showed the right temperament for victory over QPR.

Though Wayne Rooney's penalty gave the Reds the lead, it took over 50 minutes of probing to yield Paul Scholes' killer second goal.

"It's nothing new," Carrick told MUTV. "We've been having to deal with this for a while. The first goal is obviously crucial. The longer the game goes, the harder it becomes.

"It's difficult with so many men around the edge of the box. Trying to find a pass, trying to be patient, making that decision whether to pass or shoot, trying to keep the ball and keep the pressure on.

"That's how it is and we score so many late goals by working on teams and breaking them down in the end. It's just patience, really; keeping a high tempo but at the same time being patient and believing we'll get the goal.

"Obviously today we got two and we're happy. The second goal was crucial. After that the job was done, really, but it's not easy. It should be easier than it is against a man down, but it never really seems to be like that."