Smith delighted he chose to stick with United
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Alan Smith has admitted it would have been easy to run away from the challenge of forcing his way back into Sir Alex Ferguson's plans at Manchester United.
The ebullient Yorkshireman rejected at least four opportunities to go out on loan in January as he continued his recovery from the horrific leg fractures he suffered at Liverpool last year.
Both former club Leeds United and Cardiff City made firm enquiries for the player but he turned down the chance to continue his recovery in the Championship.
Having already abandoned two attempted comebacks, it appeared Smith's stubborn streak was merely prolonging an inevitable Old Trafford exit this summer.
History suggests defying Ferguson, who was keen for Smith to explore first-team options elsewhere, is not exactly the best way forward at United.
Yet amazingly, the former Leeds striker has been proved 100 per cent correct to sit tight and stay where he was.
Surprisingly handed a starting berth in the Champions League quarter-final with Roma, Smith followed up his devastating, goalscoring appearance against the Italians with another typically industrious display in the FA Cup semi-final win over Watford on Saturday.
With Louis Saha still sidelined, Smith looks certain to keep his starting place tomorrow as the Red Devils seek to extend their lead at the Barclays Premiership summit to six points by beating Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
It is the kind of situation Smith could only have dreamed about 12 months ago, as the full horror of the injury he suffered at Anfield began to sink in.
But it was exactly what he was thinking of when he looked Ferguson in the eye and told him he was not going anywhere.
'Manchester United are the biggest football club in the world,' said Smith. 'It is a huge challenge and in difficult times, it would have been easy to run away from it. But I am not going to do that.
'Sometimes, you have to make brave decisions. A lot of people questioned me when I said I wanted to stay but now, I hope the manager is pleased with the decision I made.'
Smith's United career has been eventful to say the least.
The Rothwell-born player received death threats when he quit his beloved Leeds to join the Elland Road outfit's hated Roses rivals in 2004.
Smith then scored five goals in his first six games before ending the season as an unused substitute in the FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal.
The following summer, Ferguson performed a U-turn on his initial vow to use the 26-year-old purely in a striking role by asking him to anchor United's midfield as he tried to find a replacement for the soon-to-be-departing Roy Keane.
As always, Smith embraced the challenge with gusto. But he did not quite look the part and the possibility exists if he had not been injured at Liverpool, he might well have been sacrificed last summer.
Instead, he has turned his career on its head and seems certain to be heavily involved as the race for silverware intensifies.
'I know I can do it in the Premiership, that has never been in question,' he said. 'This time last year I only had one leg but I have always been confident that I can have a positive effect on the team when I am fully fit.
'The gaffer showed a lot of belief in me when he picked me against Roma. It was everything I have worked for.' -
I was glad too when he chose to stay with United.
His workrate, dedication and determination is second to none. He reminds me of a certain Roy Keane. His never say die attitute spurred the team on.
Way to go smudge.
Cheers.
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have alwys admired this guy for his work rate and spirited play.. shld remain a striker alwys..
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will he be benched when saha is back? i hope not
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Seems like he has improve recently... He now look to have added quick one touch and creating for others to his game as well... I think something he could have pick up from Larsson...
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Maybe they will be rotated? Saha is okay, but Smith has more drive and passion. Saha is too complacent sometimes...Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:will he be benched when saha is back? i hope not -
saha is quicker.... but he is injured too much
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way too much..Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:saha is quicker.... but he is injured too much
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haha the rumour mill is going into overtime.... owen to man utd? michael, that is...Originally posted by 4getmenot:way too much.. -
no way man..he's even worst than saha!Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:haha the rumour mill is going into overtime.... owen to man utd? michael, that is...