3:08 pm
4 min: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Olise bends the ball in, but Fernandes is the first to mop up at the near post.
The ball is sent shooting to Antony on the right, but he is unable to hold onto it, and Ayew quickly loosens things up to return play to the halfway line.
Varane goes to Fernandes, who plays back to Martinez, as United threaten early. Eventually Shaw loses himself on the left and sprints into the penalty area in search of Weghorst. Palace is forced into quick-thinking defense and it is investigated whether a Palace hand interfered.
3:05 pm
2 min: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Schlupp starts Crystal Palace with the front foot, shoots through the center of the United box, but cannot find a way through. He is tipped over by Wan-Bissaka, giving the visitors an early free-kick on the edge of the box.
Casemiro is the first to reach the ball and clears it, but this is at the expense of a corner kick.
3:02 PM
One minute tribute
Is thoughtfully and powerfully crafted, both sets of players ring the center circle, heads bowed.
The whistle blows and we get to work in the next few moments.
3:00 PM
The memorials at Old Trafford begin
Erik ten Hag and Patrick Vieira come out wearing red and white floral wreaths, as the crowd behind them unfurls a banner depicting the Busby Babes lineup and the words ‘We’ll Never Die’ at their feet.
Sir Alex Ferguson is seen in the crowd just before the minute’s silence.
2:46 PM
New man Sabitzer makes his first trips to the famous turf
2:34 pm
Both sides commemorating the Munich air disaster
From James Ducker at Old Trafford
Monday marks the 65th anniversary of the Munich air disaster. Erik ten Hag and Patrick Vieira lay wreaths before kick-off, the players wear black armbands and the “Flowers of Manchester” play before the team walks out. A minute of silence is also held. At Old Trafford, banners will be placed in the stands to remember the lost and flags will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. The families of those who lost their lives and were affected by the Munich tragedy will be guests at the club in the executive box.
The match schedule is also a special 100-page commemorative edition with a colorized shot of the classic Busby Babes line-up on the cover and there is also a supporters commemorative booklet.
2:28 pm
James Ducker at Old Trafford
Anthony Martial’s continued lack of availability is becoming a deep frustration for United this season. He returned from injury mid-week to come on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest and score, but suffered a “setback” during the match according to manager Erik ten Hag and is now missing again. So it means a new start for Wout Weghorst. United’s need for a reliable top-class striker this summer is urgent. Bayern Munich transfer Marcel Sabitzer is on the bench and Diogo Dalot is back in the squad. Crystal Palace has been without Wilfried Zaha for weeks with a hamstring injury, a real loss. Eberechi Eze is sitting on the couch.
2:25 pm
Martial has no part in today’s game
That’s because the Frenchman has been ruled out again with another injury. In January 2021, more than two years ago, he last managed a full 90 minutes in the Premier League.
2:09 PM
Team news
Manchester United: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Fred, Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.
Subs: Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Sabitzer, Dalot, Heaton, Sancho, Garnacho, Mainoo.
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Clyne, Richards, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure, Hughes, Ayew, Olise, Schlupp, Edouard.
Subs: Milivojevic, Tomkins, Sambi Lokonga, Eze, Mateta, Johnstone, Ahamada, Whitworth, Riedewald.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
2:08 PM
Big game preview
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage as Crystal Palace travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, with kick-off at 3pm.
Erik ten Hag was called upon to comment at his pre-match press conference on the news that criminal charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped, but states his focus is on ‘the game, come what may’.
Ten Hag said he had ‘nothing’ to say and could not add anything, referring to ‘the club’s statement’.
“Sometimes you get in trouble,” he said. “Then you have to deal with that as a club and team. We have standards and values. We have to live according to those high standards and values and that provides a basis if you have a good basis.” culture and spirit.
“That’s our job, to let nothing distract us. We are humans and sometimes there are problems, we are not like robots, but we have to focus on our work.
“We have so many matches that we don’t have time to get distracted by anything. It’s not easy, but that’s our job.”
Ten Hag also discussed the likely inclusion in today’s match squad of new recruit Marcel Sabitzer, whose link-up loan from Bayern Munich came in the wake of Christian Eriksen’s ankle injury.
Sabitzer’s new manager praised the “winning attitude” of his latest signing.
“He is a determined footballer with a very good attitude [at] at many clubs he was also captain, so he is also a leader.
“That’s why I think it’s a perfect signing. We’re very happy with him.”
A home win today will bolster United’s ambitions to overtake the leaders of the pack as they are currently fourth as they continue their battle on all fronts following recent successes in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.