UNITED officials are determined the vital home clash with Arsenal in April will go ahead, even though an FA Cup semi-final may be scheduled for Old Trafford the following day writes Chris Sudlow

A meeting of the recently-constituted fans' forum was told that if Arsenal's involvement in the competition has ended "we reserve the right to still play our match on the day before the semi-final."

The Arsenal game - traditionally one of the highlight games of the season - is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, and is normally automatically selected for Sky TV coverage.

Both semi-finals will be played on the Sunday with Old Trafford now a regular venue for one of the matches.

This was one of the number of forum points relayed to fans via the official programme for the Champions League clash with Nantes on Tuesday.

If Arsenal beat Newcastle at St James' Park in the sixth round next Saturday this will become something of an irrelevence.

However, if United do indeed face Arsenal on that Saturday in April, the FA hierarchy will be none too happy playing a prestige game on United's sometimes dodgy pitch so soon afterwards.

Meanwhile, United eyes will be on St James' Park at 5.30pm tonight when Newcastle attempt to use their game in hand to overtake the Reds at the top.

Ruud van Nistelrooy may be rested for United's Sky TV game at Derby tomorrow afternoon (4pm) when United could either retake the lead, extend it, or find their recent upsurge of form leaves them second best.