Home sweet home

Louis van Gaal said he was delighted with the FA Cup quarterfinal draw that pitched his Manchester United team against Arsenal, arguably the toughest of the possible opponents.

The Dutchman said he was relishing the prospect because United will host Arsene Wenger's side at Old Trafford.

"I think that is the most important thing, we have a draw at home," he said after his side fought back to defeat Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday night.

"For the first time in the competition we play at home. That is important in FA Cup matches."

Bradford City got the home tie they wanted, too, but not the glamorous opposition they had hoped for. The League One giant killers were paired with the Championship side Reading.

"I'd have taken anyone really," Bradford City midfielder Billy Knott said. "The fans come out in force if we're at home. It has been great this season and hopefully we can keep this cup run going."

Bradford have already knocked out Chelsea and Sunderland, and Phil Parkinson's side will have high hopes of booking an FA Cup semifinal place at Wembley.

Liverpool were handed a home draw against Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

New Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood will face a West Midlands derby after they were drawn at home to face Tony Pulis's dangerous and rejuvenated West Bromwich Albion.

Neither club have had much to cheer in recent seasons and the prospect of a semifinal trip to London will put a spring in their step, even if they are still involved in a premier league relegation battle.

After Manchester United's Monday night victory, Wayne Rooney was accused of conning the referee into awarding him a penalty.

United set up the quarterfinal tie with Arsenal thanks to goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Rooney, who converted the late penalty to seal the win.

The England skipper went down in the box and won the spot kick after Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann rushed off his line to challenge him.

Replays showed there was no contact between the Preston stopper and Rooney though, sparking a furious debate on social media and in the press over whether the forward had cheated.

Only Rooney knows the truth, but not many players would have eschewed the opportunity to nick a penalty.