Mark Hughes, part of the Manchester United team famously thrashed 4-1 by QPR 20 years ago, has told his players that they too can cause a massive upset at Old Trafford.

Dennis Bailey’s hat-trick gave Rangers an unforgettable victory in front of a live television audience and stunned a United side that were chasing the title.

R’s boss Hughes remembers that day all too well and insists the current team must believe that history can repeat itself.

“You can’t legislate for it and you never know when those type of results will happen,” Hughes declared ahead of Sunday’s encounter.

“I was in the United team that day. It was New Year’s Day and everyone thought we’d been out all night. In fairness we probably would have played better if we had been.

“We didn’t see that result coming, but it can happen and this year as with any other year results will pop up that people don’t expect.

“I’ve taken Blackburn there and got positive results. It can be done, but we need to catch them on an off-day and play exceptionally well.

“Teams can go there and cause an upset and we certainly have enough talent to do that.”

And Hughes has pledged that Rangers will look to attack United rather than try to get men behind the ball.

“Old Trafford isn’t a place you can go to and be timid,” he said.

“You have to front up and say ‘Listen, this is what we’re about and we’re going to come here, give a good account of ourselves and see where it takes us’.”

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See also: Mixed news for QPR ahead of Man Utd clash

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