Manchester United staves off Preston NE, sets up FA Cup clash vs. Arsenal

PRESTON, England (AP) — Manchester United had to come from behind to avoid an FA Cup upset at Preston North End, rallying with three second-half goals to beat the third-tier club 3-1 and reach the quarterfinals.

Preston looked set to create another major surprise in this year's competition when Scott Laird put the hosts ahead in the 48th minute with a deflected shot. But Ander Herrera equalized in the 65th for United and Marouane Fellaini followed up his own rebound to make it 2-1 seven minutes later.

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Wayne Rooney put the result beyond doubt with a penalty in the 88th after he was adjudged to have been tripped in the area by goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann.

Manchester United will host defending champion Arsenal in a quarterfinal between two of the biggest teams remaining in the competition on the weekend of March 7-8.

MORE: Liverpool, Reading, Blackburn, West Brom all advance in FA Cup

With Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton among the big clubs already eliminated, it is by far the highest-profile quarterfinal. Liverpool will play Blackburn at home, while third-tier Bradford was rewarded for its latest upset win with a home game against League Championship team Reading. Bradford followed up its stunning victory at Chelsea by knocking out Sunderland on Sunday.

Aston Villa hosts West Bromwich Albion in another all-Premier League quarterfinal.