Manchester United made hard work of defeating Championship outfit QPR by the only goal of the game at Old Trafford. United progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with a Carlos Tevez penalty just 14 minutes from time to end the brave resistance of QPR who almost snatched an equaliser in the dying minutes.

Tevez scored from the spot after Rangers defender Peter Ramage fouled Danny Welbeck in the area.

"Danny Welbeck changed the game for us, really, and I'm really pleased with him. He gave us something different and earned the all important penalty," enthused Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He's only recently back from a groin injury but now that he's fit he's very much in the first-team picture.

"The only area that has been letting us down of late - and it showed again tonight - is taking our chances. But the goals will come, I'm sure."