Report: United 3 Crystal Palace 0

Our defence of the cup began with an emphatic Alejandro Garnacho finish after some wonderful build-up play, before Casemiro’s header put Erik ten Hag’s men two goals to the good at half-time. 

Anthony Martial half-volleyed home our third of the evening, to seal a comprehensive victory in front of our home supporters. 

United are now into the hat for the fourth-round draw, on Wednesday night. 

The opening of this evening’s clash under the Old Trafford lights was a somewhat slow starter, with the Reds dominating the ball for lengthy periods, without managing a breakthrough. 

United's full debutant, Sofyan Amrabat, had our first effort of the game when the ball was rolled into his path by Diogo Dalot, but the Morocco international couldn’t keep his shot under control and blazed it over the bar. Dean Henderson's first appearance for Palace ended prematurely as he went down holding his hip after a routine clearance, with another former Red, in Sam Johnstone, taking his place. 

The first goal would soon follow, though, with Garnacho firing us ahead in the 21st minute of action. Mason Mount pinged a lovely ball to Facundo Pellistri, who was quick to play it into the path of the on-rushing Dalot, even if it may have been intended for Hannibal. Our no.20 fired a pass across the face of goal with Garnacho finishing smartly to open the scoring. 

The Old Trafford faithful would have to wait just six minutes to watch us double our lead. It all began from an advantage played by the referee after Martial was bundled over, allowing Mount to play Pellistri in on goal for a clear scoring opportunity but for the last-ditch challenge of Chris Richards, resulting in a corner. 

Mount would provide the key pass once more, with his out-swinging cross headed home by an unmarked Casemiro. 

Amrabat had a lively start to life in Red, and was tested a handful of times in the left-back role. On two clear occasions, he showed his strength and tactical prowess to close out any potential Palace attack, with his actions met by a roar from the Stretford End. 

Ten Hag opted for a tactical switch a half-time, with Victor Lindelof coming on for Mount. The Swede slotted in at left-back, allowing Amrabat to move forward into his more natural midfield position. Palace, meanwhile, brought on an extra central defender in Marc Guehi in a bid to stunt United’s free-flowing attack, but it would only keep us at bay for 15 minutes. 

We showed our patience in the build-up to create our third of the evening. A sublime ball towards the back post from Casemiro was cushioned home on the half-volley by Martial, to put the Reds in cruise control. 

Chances for Palace were few and far between, leaving Andre Onana with little to do on the evening, but he remained alert to keep the Eagles at bay. Carving through our back line, Jean-Philippe Mateta fizzed an effort toward goal but Onana’s quick reaction saw him parry the ball away from danger. 

At the other end, the Reds came close to a fourth through substitute Jonny Evans. Free in the box as a corner was whipped in his direction, his headed effort was met by the resilience of Johnstone, whose instinctive save denied the Northern Irishman. 

Onana was called up once more towards the latter stages of the game, using his body to deny Mateta for a second time. United continued our search for a fourth, though, with Lindelof and Garnacho denied by the opposing shot-stopper, Johnstone, twice in quick succession before the referee blew his whistle for full-time.

It was a welcome return to top form for the Reds, with Palace back here again on Saturday afternoon.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Onana; Amrabat (Gore 61), Maguire, Varane (Evans 61), Dalot; Casemiro, Hannibal (van de Beek 70), Mount (Lindelof 46); Garnacho, Martial (Hojlund 75), Pellistri. 

Unused substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton, Fernandes, Rashford. 

Goals: Garnacho 21, Casemiro 27, Martial 55.

Bookings: Hannibal 28.

Crystal Palace: Henderson (Johnstone 19); Mitchell, Richards, Holding, Clyne; Doucoure (Hughes 60), Riedewald (Ozoh 80); Ayew, Schlupp (Eze 60), Rak-Sakyi (Guehi 46); Mateta. 

Unused substitutes: Ward, Andersen, Ebiowei, Ola-Adebomi. 

Bookings: Holding 26.