Big three litmus test awaits Louis van Gaal’s new-look Manchester United but QPR win a nice start

MANCHESTER United aren’t the only team to beat QPR by four goals this season and probably won’t be the last. Temper expectations accordingly.

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A BIT of perspective, please.

VIDEO: NEW-LOOK MANCHESTER UNITED DEMOLISH QPR

Manchester United beating QPR 4-0 at Old Trafford doesn’t automatically make them Premier League title favourites. It doesn’t even get them back on track after a rocky 12 months.

It’s a start though.

They aren’t the only team to beat QPR by four goals at home this season and certainly, on exposed form, won’t be the last.

Remember, beating Harry Redknapp’s men made Tottenham Hotspur look good for a week or so.

With the amount of talent at their disposal, United merely did what was expected of them.

Class does tell in the end. Chelsea did the same to Swansea City the previous day.

There is no doubting the last three weeks or so have been a watershed period in United’s history.

Sick of inadequacy, they spent big on the likes of Daley Bind, Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw and Radamel Falcao to help bring back the good times.

While I'm here, which team in all-white did Manchester United beat yesterday, QPR or Real Madrid? Hugely OTT reaction suggests the latter...

— Matt Chambers (@Matt_Chambers_) September 15, 2014

I love how the media are all of sudden saying we title contenders again!! We are manchester united we are always title contenders 20 Times!!

— Navz (@navz_10) September 15, 2014

Manchester United looking good but will face tougher opposition than QPR....such as the Dog and Duck!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 14, 2014

The initial result was very encouraging as Blind was excellent, Di Maria inspirational and Falcao, although not on the scoresheet, showing he soon will be.

But money doesn’t guarantee titles. Real Madrid, among others, have found that out.

It just brings heightened expectation and, with that, comes severe criticism if failure ensues.

Manchester United's Colombian striker Radamel Falcao came off the bench for his debut.

If United thought they endured a rough time under David Moyes, imagine what the price of failure would be now.

United can certainly play a major part in this season’s EPL race.

But jumping to any other conclusion other than this win was nothing more than a relief would be foolish.

Louis van Gaal tried to initially keep a lid on expectations but was ultimately caught up in the euphoria that swept around Old Trafford.

“This result is fantastic, but we can do much better,” he said.

“The most important thing is trajectory. We are building a process and we have to play in a certain style.

“I want to win the Premier League title.

“If it is not this year then the second or third year. I want to give a championship to the fans.”

While a visit to resilient Leicester this weekend will be tougher than many think, they can’t expect a true indication of their standing until a four-game stretch starting at the end of October.

Then they face Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal over a four-week period. Distinguish themselves in that stretch and the plaudits will be deserved.

And then everyone will know Manchester United are truly back on track.

Originally published as Big three litmus test awaits Louis van Gaal’s new-look Manchester United but QPR win a nice start