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Goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and a Wayne Rooney penalty prevented a cup upset at Deepdale and sealed Louis van Gaal's side's place in the quarter-finals
Manchester United set up an FA Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal after overcoming Preston North End at Deepdale.
Scott Laird opened the scoring as the home side briefly threatened an upset, but strikes from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney spared United's blushes and sent the Red Devils through to the last eight.
Rooney had not netted in nine games ahead of Monday's fifth-round tie, but ended his scoring drought with a late penalty after being moved back into an attacking role by Louis van Gaal.
That goal wrapped up the victory for United, who at one stage looked like they might be the latest giantkilling victims in this season's FA Cup. Simon Grayson, who masterminded Leeds United's victory at Old Trafford in the same competition in 2010, must have been dreaming of another shock against the 11-time winners.
Van Gaal's side showed character to come back, though, as Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini marked their recalls to the starting line-up with goals and Rooney struck from the spot after being upended by Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann.
United will now face Arsenal in a mouth-watering last-eight tie at the Emirates Stadium next month as they attempt to win the FA Cup for the first time in 11 years and give Van Gaal a trophy in his first season at Old Trafford.
Preston gave a good account of themselves on Monday night, but were unable to pull off what would have been a stunning win against their Lancashire rivals. The club's attentions will not turn back to their League One promotion push.
United were not allowed to settle with the tie played at a frantic pace, although Angel di Maria came closest to breaking the deadlock with a free-kick 13 minutes in.
The Premier League side lacked quality in the final third in a poor first half, but Rooney looked poised to put them in front when Radamel Falcao laid the ball into his path just before the break until Bailey Wright intervened with a fine challenge.
While the first 45 produced very little entertainment, it took just two second-half minutes for the game to spark into life when Laird put Preston in front.
The full-back burst into the penalty area to get on the end of a nicely-weighted Paul Gallagher pass and his left-foot strike deflected off Antonio Valencia and went under David de Gea, who should have done better.
Some outstanding defending from Paul Huntington denied Fellaini an equaliser, but United were level when Herrera marked his return to the side with a goal after 65 minutes.
The Spanish midfielder got the ball stuck under his feet after receiving a pass from substitute Ashley Young in the penalty area, but his left-foot strike crept in off the far post.
Preston felt the goal should have been ruled out as Rooney was stood in an offside position, but the referee allowed it to stand, deeming that the England captain was not interfering with play.
United were on the front foot at that stafe and Fellaini put them front 18 minutes from time after Valencia picked him out with a cross to the far post. The Belgium midfielder fired home a rebound from close range after his initial header was saved by Stuckmann.
Stuckmann then brought down Rooney two minutes from time and the striker sent the keeper the wrong way to ensure United progressed.
Goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and a Wayne Rooney penalty prevented a cup upset at Deepdale and sealed Louis van Gaal's side's place in the quarter-finals
Manchester United set up an FA Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal after overcoming Preston North End at Deepdale.
Scott Laird opened the scoring as the home side briefly threatened an upset, but strikes from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney spared United's blushes and sent the Red Devils through to the last eight.
Rooney had not netted in nine games ahead of Monday's fifth-round tie, but ended his scoring drought with a late penalty after being moved back into an attacking role by Louis van Gaal.
That goal wrapped up the victory for United, who at one stage looked like they might be the latest giantkilling victims in this season's FA Cup. Simon Grayson, who masterminded Leeds United's victory at Old Trafford in the same competition in 2010, must have been dreaming of another shock against the 11-time winners.
Van Gaal's side showed character to come back, though, as Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini marked their recalls to the starting line-up with goals and Rooney struck from the spot after being upended by Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann.
United will now face Arsenal in a mouth-watering last-eight tie at the Emirates Stadium next month as they attempt to win the FA Cup for the first time in 11 years and give Van Gaal a trophy in his first season at Old Trafford.
Preston gave a good account of themselves on Monday night, but were unable to pull off what would have been a stunning win against their Lancashire rivals. The club's attentions will not turn back to their League One promotion push.
United were not allowed to settle with the tie played at a frantic pace, although Angel di Maria came closest to breaking the deadlock with a free-kick 13 minutes in.
The Premier League side lacked quality in the final third in a poor first half, but Rooney looked poised to put them in front when Radamel Falcao laid the ball into his path just before the break until Bailey Wright intervened with a fine challenge.
While the first 45 produced very little entertainment, it took just two second-half minutes for the game to spark into life when Laird put Preston in front.
The full-back burst into the penalty area to get on the end of a nicely-weighted Paul Gallagher pass and his left-foot strike deflected off Antonio Valencia and went under David de Gea, who should have done better.
Some outstanding defending from Paul Huntington denied Fellaini an equaliser, but United were level when Herrera marked his return to the side with a goal after 65 minutes.
The Spanish midfielder got the ball stuck under his feet after receiving a pass from substitute Ashley Young in the penalty area, but his left-foot strike crept in off the far post.
Preston felt the goal should have been ruled out as Rooney was stood in an offside position, but the referee allowed it to stand, deeming that the England captain was not interfering with play.
United were on the front foot at that stafe and Fellaini put them front 18 minutes from time after Valencia picked him out with a cross to the far post. The Belgium midfielder fired home a rebound from close range after his initial header was saved by Stuckmann.
Stuckmann then brought down Rooney two minutes from time and the striker sent the keeper the wrong way to ensure United progressed.
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#CITYHITZ SPORT: Preston 1-3 Manchester United: Red Devils rally to set up Arsenal clash
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