Queens Park Rangers caretaker boss Mark Bowen has defended Mark Hughes's reign at Loftus Road.

Hughes was sacked by the QPR board on Friday morning and has since been replaced by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp.

QPR are currently bottom of the Premier League, having only taken four points from the first 13 games - the worst return in the league's history.

"People ask me what went wrong but when this club stayed up on the last day of last season, clubs like Southampton and Reading had a better squad than us," said Bowen.

"They had players who had been together and had success together. At times we have been criticised for the number of players who have left.

"Not one player we have let go is anywhere near the Premier League now. We have brought good players into the club. I have seen it every day in training. Maybe at times a few of the lads have been found wanting."

QPR's dismal run continued with a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.