Last updated on .From the section Football

Angel Di Maria arrived at Old Trafford in a £59.7m move from Real Madrid

United claim first win of Van Gaal reign

Loanee Falcao makes debut off bench

Di Maria and Herrera score first goals for club

Manchester United won for the first time this season as their new-look side tore apart a poor QPR at Old Trafford.

Record signing Angel Di Maria was particularly impressive and settled any early United nerves when his free-kick into the box crept into the far corner.

Ander Herrera drilled in soon after and Wayne Rooney's sharp finish all but ended the contest before the break.

Juan Mata steered in Di Maria's shot and loanee Radamel Falcao had a gentle debut as a 67th-minute substitute.

MOTD2 analysis: Man Utd v QPR Mark Lawrenson: "Angel Di Maria played on the left-hand side of a four-man midfield diamond in their 4-1-2-1-2 formation against QPR, with Ander Herrera to his right, Daley Blind behind him and Juan Mata at the top. "That role certainly suits Di Maria better than any position in the 3-4-1-2 formation that Van Gaal seems to prefer."Whether he is used as a wing-back or as a central midfielder in that 3-4-1-2, then he will have more defensive responsibilities." Read more: How Man Utd's diamond suits Di Maria

Tougher tests than a flimsy QPR side await, but after a dismal season under David Moyes, and a slow start to this campaign under successor Louis van Gaal, United provided their fans with genuine cause for optimism.

United's last home game - a 2-1 opening-day defeat by Swansea - had finished with a very different mood around Old Trafford and Van Gaal's starting line-up showed major changes from that loss.

Man United 4-0 QPR: Louis van Gaal hails 'new start' for Reds

New signings Di Maria, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo were included from the start with Falcao on the bench.

As well as new personnel, Van Gaal was forced to shift from his favoured 3-5-2 formation to a four-man defence by injuries to Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

The changes fuelled a buoyant atmosphere among the home fans and QPR proved the perfect opposition for a confidence-building win.

Mata, playing at the attacking tip of a midfield diamond, shot over from 20 yards, before Di Maria gave United a goal cushion to go with the majority of possession.

In the thick of things Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera made more tackles (8) and completed more passes (77) than he did in any match in the 2013-14 La Liga season for Athletic Bilbao.

The £59.7m signing's free-kick floated over its intended targets and, with goalkeeper Rob Green standing still in expectation of a touch, bounced inside the far post.

The visitors had rarely ventured beyond the halfway line, but if Jonny Evans had not blocked Matt Phillips's shot after home keeper David de Gea rushed out to try and halt a rare attack, they could have been level.

As it was, QPR were out of the game soon after.

A scampering run from the increasingly impressive Di Maria drew the attention of two defenders and when Rooney laid the ball into the path of Herrera, the Spaniard drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Redknapp 'expected a difficult day'

The third arrived soon after as the QPR defence stood off their men, allowing Mata and Herrera to exchange passes and Rooney the time to pick his spot inside the near post.

The introduction of Armand Traore improved QPR after the break, but Mata and Rooney's over-elaboration with the goal at their mercy, and the rueful smiles that followed, summed up the exhibition pace of the second half.

Mata did not have to wait long for another chance - blasting home after Di Maria shanked an ambitious effort into his path.

Falcao was introduced to loud cheers with a little over 20 minutes to go and was only denied a goal by Green's scrambling recovery save.

The Colombian's new side should provide him with plenty more chances if they continue in the same vein, while QPR will need to be more determined and ambitious to survive in the top flight.

Former Wales international Robbie Savage on BBC Radio 5 live "On today's performance it was a Manchester United side people want to come and pay to watch. But defensively, when are they going to be tested? Let's not forget they have beaten QPR today. Spurs beat them 4-0 and we are not talking about them winning the league. If you ask every United fan in this stadium I think the majority would say that they will not win the league this year."

QPR manager Harry Redknapp:

"United have got a big chance of making the top four.

"They have got some fantastic forward players. For us it will be a tough season but I still think we will be OK.

"One or two of my players are trying to get their fitness.

"Leroy Fer has had two weeks away with Holland and has not played a game.

"He probably has been stood around and used as a cone while the first team play. He lacks fitness."

Read Louis van Gaal's reaction.

Radamel Falcao failed to score on his debut, a feat he achieved with Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco

Ander Herrera scored 11 goals in 128 appearances for previous club Athletic Bilbao

Ex-England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, a Chelsea fan, was in the stands to watch United's win

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand and Sir Bobby Charlton took part in a pre-match presentation

Check out the best photos from today's Premier League game on the BBC Sport Facebook page.