Queens Park Rangers were unable to provide new boss Harry Redknapp with the perfect welcome present after a spirited defeat at Manchester United as West Bromwich Albion continued their excellent start to the season.

Darren Fletcher’s first goal since his return to fitness helped to stave off a shock at Old Trafford as Manchester United came from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-1, with the visitors’ new manager Redknapp watching from the stands.

United controlled possession in the first half, but lacked any tempo and received a let-off when Jamie Mackie strayed fractionally offside before heading beyond Anders Lindegaard.

The hosts’ lackadaisical performance was punished seven minutes after half-time, though, when Kieron Dyer was left alone after taking a corner and, after his low cross was pushed out by Lindegaard, Mackie had the simple task of tapping in from close range.

The introduction of Anderson injected some much-needed pace into United’s performance, although it was a set-piece which resulted in the equaliser on 64 minutes as Jonny Evans nodded home from about a yard out after Danny Welbeck had knocked down a corner.

The Red Devils took the lead from another corner four minutes later as Fletcher powerfully met Wayne Rooney’s cross before Anderson set up fellow substitute Javier Hernandez for a clinical finish on 72 minutes.