Alan Smith Signs.....But He Said He Never Would!

By Chris O'Brien
May 26 2004

The signing of Leeds United forward Alan Smith has been completed for £7million, with youngster Danny Pugh leaving in part exchange. Feelings are mixed amongst the United masses about the signings, with he English international hardly being shy about his feelings towards the Red Devils in the past.

Manchester United have made their first signing of the season as preparation for the 2004/2005 season, with Leeds striker Alan Smith moving to Old Trafford for a fee of £7million. It was inevitable that the England international would leave Elland Road after Leeds' relegation to the First Division, and the Red Devils have shrugged off transfer challenges from Newcastle United and Everton to snap up the versatile forward.

The fee was agreed earlier in the week and Smith passed his medical with the United physiotherapist team on Wednesday afternoon. The signing was confirmed today, and Alan Smith will pull on the Manchester United colours next season. Quite amazing, considering the 23-year-old has stated numerous occasions in his career that the only club he wouldn't sign for in his career was the Red Devils, and as a life-long Leeds fan his hatred of Manchester United is perhaps understandable. An interview on Soccer AM lives long in the memory. Smith will certainly have work cut out to prove himself to the Manchester United supporters after past quotes he has made about the club.

Leeds not only receive an upfront fee of £6million and an additional £1million, which was money entitled to be collected by Smith which he has waived, but Manchester United youngster Danny Pugh will join the Lancashire outfit on a permanent basis as the Whites prepare for live outside of the top flight. Paul Robinson has already left Leeds for Spurs and several other big-name players including Australian international Mark Viduka look set to make way as the club begin a massive reconstruction process over the summer months.

Pugh made a handful of appearances for United, and played in last seasons League Cup defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. He is a versatile left-sided player and looks a good prospect, but with a number of players battling to come through the ranks at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson has seen it best that he moves on. The inclusion of Pugh in part-exchange could well have swung the deal for United, with several other clubs rumoured to be chasing Alan Smith.

Rumours suggest that David Bellion was offered to Leeds as part-exchange, but their newly appointed manager Kevin Blackwell opted to sign Pugh. The signings raises major questions over the future of young striker David Bellion and Uruguayan international Diego Forlan, who will both find it even harder to get many first-team games. There will be a lot of competition for forward-minded positions with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also facing a tough battle, and reserve players like the highly-rated Daniel Nardiello will find it hard to even get a look in.

Smith is the third player to cross the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester United in the past twelve years. The legend that is Eric Cantona signed in 1992 after Leeds won the League Championship, and Rio Ferdinand became a Red for £30million two seasons ago, although he is yet to have the impact Eric the King had. Joe Jordan and Gordon McQueen both also made the move in 1978.