Smith: "I made the Right Decision"

Happy to be at OT
By Chris O'Brien
April 16 2007

Alan Smith is delighted that he decided to stay with Manchester United for the duration of the season. The striker had the chance to leave the club on loan during the January transfer window but decided to stay and fight for his first-team place.

Manchester United striker Alan Smith feels that staying at Old Trafford and fighting for his first-team place was the right decision.

 

The England international suffered a horrible leg injury against Liverpool at Anfield last season and faced almost a year on the sidelines as he looked to return to full fitness and work his way back into Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans.

 

A host of Championship clubs, including Cardiff City and Smith’s ex-employers Leeds, were interested in signing the player on loan over the January transfer window but the versatile forward decided to stay with United and fight on. 

"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 played a starring role in United’s recent 7-1 demolition of Roma and was also in action against Watford on the weekend. Smudge will now be hoping to help the Red Devils to Treble glory as he looks to cement his place in the club’s starting XI.