Marouane Fellaini scores Manchester United’s second goal against Preston last night.Marouane Fellaini scores Manchester United’s second goal against Preston last night.

Manchester United survived a scare to beat League One Preston North End 3-1 in the FA Cup fifth round last night and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final against Arsenal.

Scott Laird’s deflected 47th-minute strike gave third-tier Preston the scent of a huge upset but United regrouped and goals by Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney sent the Premier League side through.

United produced another laboured first-half performance under manager Louis van Gaal and they were stunned when Laird’s speculative shot burst through goalkeeper David de Gea’s grasp after hitting Antonio Valencia.

Van Gaal withdrew ineffective Colombian striker Radamel Falcao and Herrera soon squeezed a shot in off the post after 65 minutes.

Fellaini, moved into the forward line, won a far-post header seven minutes later and reacted quickly to slam home the rebound following an initial save by German goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann.

United controlled possession and Rooney won a penalty when he was fouled by Stuckmann, the England captain dusting himself down to smash the spot-kick high into the net two minutes from time.

The quarter-final round draw took place shortly before kick-off at Deepdale, with the balls selected by England manager Sir Roy Hodgson and Brian Finney, son of the late, great Preston winger Sir Tom Finney.

Liverpool’s hopes of reaching Wembley on the occasion of the departing Steven Gerrard’s 35th birthday were also boosted as they were drawn to face Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn at Anfield.

Giant-killers Bradford, fresh from ousting top-flight opponents Sunderland and Chelsea, avoided Premier League opponents this time and will instead take on second-tier Reading at Valley Parade.

That pairing ensures at least one Football League side will make it to the final four of the competition.

The remaining quarter-final pitted midlands neighbours Aston Villa and West Brom against each other, with Villa at home.

Quarter-final draw
Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers
Bradford City vs Reading
Man. United vs Arsenal
Aston Villa v West Brom

Ties to be played over weekend of March 7/8.

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