Poor Damien Delaney.

The Palace defender is having a shocker and almost scores another own goal after Anthony Martial's cross comes off his body and fizzes just wide of the post.

Lee Mason awards a goal kick when it was clearly a corner.

How many of these Palace players are making Alan Pardew sit up and take notice before the FA Cup semi-final this weekend?

Not many at all.

Image source, Getty Images

United are in complete control having enjoyed two-thirds of the possession with the half hour mark approaching. Three of their four shots have been on target. 

It's bright and breezy from the hosts, Palace keeper Julian Speroni is the busiest man on the pitch.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Manchester United have been accused of overplaying this season but we've just seen a brilliant backheel from Marcus Rashford that releases Jesse Lingard deep in the Palace box.

"Instead of going for goal, Lingard goes for the pull back even though his intended target, Anthony Martial, was further away from goal than he was."

Image source, Getty Images

United's forwards are full of youth, promise and pace. Anthony Martial lets fly from the edge of the area and Julian Speroni beats it away at full stretch.

Applause for Anthony Martial as he glides past Martin Kelly and gets the better of Adrian Mariappa but slips as he looks to deliver a low cross into the danger area.

Rooney and Mata are in the centre of midfield with Schneiderlin just behind. United are all over Palace.

Image source, AP

United might be leading but the atmosphere remains flat. The number of empty seats could yet turn out to be the story of the night at Old Trafford.

As it stands, United are one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal. Palace started this game in 15th but could drop to 16th if they are heavily beaten.

Emmanuel Adebayor has Palace's first shot in anger but the visitors are playing as though they have their minds on Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

First booking of the game shortly before the goal for former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly after tugging back Anthony Martial.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Game being played to backdrop of quite a few empty seats. It will be interesting to see whether crowd is actual figure or includes all season ticket holders."

Image source, Getty Images

Palace haven't got off the coach.

Having been gifted the lead, United are now looking to double it.

Juan Mata forces a save from Julian Speroni who will be relieved to get his hands on the ball having had little chance with the goal.

All eyes on the attendance tonight.

There are thousands of empty seats at Old Trafford and the atmosphere is distinctly low key.

Palace are sitting back and allowing United to attack while Louis van Gaal has his pen out and is making his first notes of the evening.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward headed straight for Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish when he made his way into the Old Trafford directors box.

"The pair had a friendly exchange before Woodward headed for his seat."

Peep. Peep. Referee Lee Mason blows his whistle and we're under way.

Here come the teams. Palace are playing in their excellent white away kit. Still lots of empty seats at Old Trafford.

There's not been too many smiles in the crowd at Old Trafford recently but one United fan will go home happy whatever tonight's result. Ryan Giggs has just signed a youngster's tracksuit top and received a beaming smile in return.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace could yet end the season with a major trophy but their Premier League form in 2016 has been terrible.

They started the calendar year occupying fifth spot in the table but eight points from a possible 45 means they have yet to cement their top-flight safety with four games remaining.

Their last league win at Old Trafford against United? Twenty-seven years ago although they did beat United on their own patch to reach the League Cup semi-final in 2011.