Smith to 'consider options'
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Alan Smith says he wants assurances from Sir Alex Ferguson over his Manchester United future.
The former Leeds striker says he is concerned he may be restricted to a bit-part role for the champions next term.
And the England man admits it may be 'time to move on' if the United boss cannot promise him first-team football.
"If they are going to sell me, I'd like to know. But I won't find out unless I get to speak to the manager," Smith told The Sun.
"If you're no longer wanted, then you have to consider your options."
Smith returned from injury at the end of the season to help United clinch the Premiership title, but the arrival of Owen Hargreaves, Sporting's Nani and Porto starlet Anderson could severely restrict the 26-year-old's chances of regular first-team action at Old Trafford next term.
"I want to be out there from the start," added Smith, who still has two years to run on his current United deal.
"If the manager tells me he wants me, I'm there for him. If he says he doesn't, it's time to move on."
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney says United's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal at Old Trafford was key to their title triumph.
"One result that stands out in my mind is losing to Arsenal at home in September. We went on a brilliant run of wins after that," Rooney said in The Sun.
"We lost and everyone was saying `the Reds are going to stumble after this', but we kept on going and we were unbeaten until December in the league.
"That's one of the best things about this team, we're defiant after a defeat. We know we can't afford to let it affect us.
"That comes from the togetherness of the team. We always bounce back after a loss."
Source: Sky Sports
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=471571&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=2&title=Smith+to+'consider+options'&channel=football_home&
Smudger might be going afterall...
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sad
but this is how the real world work -
If he wants to start every game, i think its better if he moves to another club
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hard la... he needs to move on..
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no matter what, let's hope this turn out right for everyone...
no point, to tear face or wash dirty linen in public. -
Keane: Hopes that his relationship with Smith from his United days will help snare the ex-Leeds man
Keane in £7m raid for Smith
Roy Keane will make a £7m bid to bring Manchester United's Alan Smith to Sunderland. The England striker faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford now that he will not be given a new contract.
The Black Cats boss knows Smith, 26, from their time together at United and hopes this might give him the edge over Tottenham, Everton, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.
Smith maintains he plans to see out the remaining two years of his current deal but said: "If you are no longer wanted, you have to consider your options." -
Join Keane!
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keane seems to be going for all the rejected man u pple.........
imagine if they beat man u
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waa Sunderland is a mini-MU sia
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I guess he has to start considering options then..
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All in the plans of Roy's master plan
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Hurts to say this but he has not proven to be really good enough for Man Utd. He is very hardworking but he cannot finish.
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if forlan is cheaper, smith and forlan would probably kick the blackcat first team strikers ass off.
keane hasnt targeted rossi? -
Oh yes... go to Keane!
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Agent casts doubt on Smith future
The agent of Manchester United's Alan Smith has urged the Premier League champions to tell him whether or not he has a future at the club.
The England striker admitted on Wednesday he will "consider his options" unless he is given assurances over his his role at Old Trafford.
And his agent Alex Black wants United to clarify his client's position as soon as possible.
"I think if you're definitely not wanted, you need to be told that," Black said on BBC Radio Five Live.
The 26-year-old former Leeds frontman made a good return to first-team action towards the end of last season after severe injury problems.
His form also saw him recalled to the England fold, but Smith is concerned he may be restricted to a bit-part role with the champions next season.
Black revealed Smith has been concerned about his future ever since United chose not to exercise a clause in his contract, which would have seen it extended by another year to 2010.
"Obviously, you're going to have some question marks in your head as to where that leaves you," said Black, adding that Smith is not looking for a guarantee of first-team football.
"Nobody would expect that at a club like Manchester United," he said.
Unless United make the first move, Smith is set to remain in limbo until the start of pre-season training.
"Alan's gone away on holiday for a few weeks and these are the sort of conversations that probably need to take place face to face," Black said.
"I'm sure him and Sir Alex will have a chat at the start of pre-season.
"The only conversation so far that's taken place has been between myself and David Gill, the chief executive, and that was brought up regarding the re-negotiation clause."
Asked whether he and Smith would actively look for another club, Black said: "It's not really for us to look at other clubs.
"Our opinion is he hasn't been offered a new contract but he's still got two years left at arguably the biggest football club in the world.
"He has the confidence in himself to stay and fight." -
Spurs will be the place for him.. to take over Mido