SIR Alex Ferguson has dropped the broadest hint yet that Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi are on their way out of Old Trafford.With the Carlos Tevez wrangle expected to be resolved by the end of August, Smith and Rossi's futures have been the subject of intense debate over the last few weeks.
Middlesbrough are rumoured to have made a substantial offer for Smith, who made an impressive contribution at the back end of the title-winning campaign after finally recovering from the horrific injuries he suffered at Liverpool in February 2006, while Parma are keen to keep Rossi, who scored an incredible nine goals in a 16-game loan spell to keep the club in Serie A.
Perhaps understandably given the uncertainty over Tevez's situation, Ferguson is trying to keep his options open as long as possible.
But the Manchester United boss accepts that if Tevez does eventually sign, neither Smith nor Rossi may feel entirely comfortable at the number of first-team opportunities they are likely to get next term.
"We have had offers for Giuseppe, which puts us in a bit of a situation, while the quandary with Alan surrounds his long-term future and getting regular games," Ferguson said.
"There is no doubt Alan did fantastically well for us when he came back last season.
"He gave the team a spiritual lift and because he is such a fighter, he was an inspiration to us. But he is 26 now and he wants regular football.
"I have to look at Manchester United in terms of how do we improve to get better. And when someone like Tevez comes along, it makes it difficult for people like Alan and Giuseppe in particular.
"The most important thing is that they are our players and we can make decisions when we like."
The situation is further muddied by Ferguson's admission he lodged a bid for another striker this summer.
Ferguson opted not to name the player but Bolton's Nicolas Anelka was rumoured to be a strong target, while the agent of Fabio Quagliarella, who scored 13 goals for Italian outfit Sampdoria last term but has since had his contract bought out in its entirety by co-owners Udinese, claimed six weeks ago United had bid £10million for the 23-year-old.
"We did try to get another player," confirmed Ferguson.
"It is obvious they are not going to sell at this particular time but we have our tabs on the situation."
