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Grayson plots to upset Man U in FA Cup again

LONDON - Preston North End manager Simon Grayson has already masterminded a famous FA Cup victory against Manchester United and will hope to do it again when they visit his League One side in the fifth round on Monday.

Grayson was in charge of Leeds United, then a third-tier side themselves, when they won 1-0 at Old Trafford in 2010 to become the first lower league opposition to beat an Alex Ferguson-led United team in the third round.

After a fourth round in which the FA Cup rekindled its old magic with the exits of the Premier League leaders Chelsea and champions Manchester City to lower league opponents, the Preston boss wants to use his previous experience of conquering 11-time winners United to do it again.

A win for his third-tier side, who won the FA Cup in 1889, would end Louis van Gaal's best hope of his first trophy as United manager, with the league seemingly out of reach.

"It was a fantastic occasion that day [wen he guided Leeds to a win over United in 2010]," Grayson said. "This is a different United team but one we will look forward to playing.

"The football club deserves it, because we have not had any ties like this over the last few years."

Holders Arsenal will be hoping to avoid the same fate as Manchester City, who were stunned by Championship leaders Middlesbrough in the last round, but Boro will be no pushovers.

FA CUP FIXTURES:

TOMORROW

West Bromwich v West Ham (2.45pm), Derby County v Reading (5pm), Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City (5pm), Crystal Palace v Liverpool (7.30pm)

SUNDAY

Aston Villa v Leicester City (2.30), Bradford City v Sunderland (4.30pm), Arsenal v Middlesbrough (6pm)

MONDAY

Preston North End v Manchester United (9.45pm). - Reuters