Manchester United Player Profiles : Alan Smith

Filed under: Manchester United Football Club, Manchester United Players

Alan “Smudger” Smith started playing his football with Leeds United. Signing a professional contract with them in 1998, he scored on his debut when Leeds beat Liverpool in November 1998, going on to to establish himself as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s first choice striking partner for the rest of that season.

After the appointment of David O’Leary in October 1998, Smith was one of several youngsters to benefit from the Irishman’s belief in his younger charges. Smith gained excellent experience during Leeds’ successful Champions League run during the 2000/01 season. But the fiery striker was sent-off in Leeds last game of the competition and he must learn to stay cool. However, the return of 11 Premiership goals was the best of his career.

He fought off the challenge of Robbie Keane to stay third in the pecking order at the club, but the 2001/02 season saw him deployed in a midfield role to accommodate the signing of Robbie Fowler from Liverpool. That understandably had a detrimental affect on his goals return. Smith made his England debut against Mexico at Pride Park in May 2001, and remained high on England boss Sven Goran Eriksson’s list of strikers for the 2002 World Cup.

His disciplinary record continued to haunt the player. The 2003/04 season would prove a huge one for Smith. He would leave Leeds, have a dramatic and embarrassing saga with the England set-up and see his beloved team relegated with spiralling debts.

The season started in familiar fashion for Smith, as he collected nine yellow cards in the first 21 games. But he remained a shining light in a dismal Leeds team battling for survival. The striker was called into the England squad for the first time since the Macedonia red card for the friendly against Denmark at Old Trafford. However, the FA failed to note that he was under investigation by the police for throwing a bottle into the crowd during a Carling Cup defeat to Manchester United. FA rules state that a player under police investigation cannot represent the national side, and within minutes of Smith arriving at the team hotel he was sent home again.

Back in domestic action, Smith was an inspiration. He was not booked from the start of January for the rest of the season as he led the Yorkshire side’s fruitless race for survival. A return of nine Premiership goals was the second best of his career. Relegation for Leeds would always mean the exit door for Smith, something which he had not denied for a number of months. Smith had scored 56 goals in a total of 228 games for the Elland Road club and was given a hero’s send off in his final game as Leeds were relegated. The fans invaded the pich and carried Smith shoulder high - if only they knew what was around the corner.

After interest from Everton and Middlesbrough, Smith eventually got his dream move to United on May 26, 2004, signing a five-year contract. Leeds received £6million, with the reported £7million balance reflected in the savings made on the player’s signing-on fees and other associated considerations. Smith agreed to waive his signing-on fee as a sign of goodwill, with the club also confirming no agents’ fees were incurred.

With a deadly eye for goal, aggression and great desire, Smith got off to a great start scoring a stunning 25 yard drive on his debut against Arsenal in the Community Shield. He then netted 4 times in his first 8 games including an acrobatic volley against Norwich. However, the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy from injury saw him drop to the bench by mid-season and his appearances became increasingly limited. Even when the Dutchman was injured again late season, Sir Alex preferred playing Wayne Rooney on his own in a 4-2-3-1 formation which left Smith warming the bench.

Season 2005-2006 was notable for the conversion of Smith from striker to midfielder by Sir Alex. At the start of the season he had been in his usual position as a second striker but soon began lining up alongside Darren Fletcher and Roy Keane. When Keane picked up a foot injury against Liverpool in mid September (and his subsequent exit in November) lan made a permanent switch to central midfield. Whilst the transition to midfield produced much scepticism at first, as the months went on Smith settled into the role and was performing well. Then disaster struck at Anfield in United’s 5th round FA Cup defeat by Liverpool. After coming on as a late sub, Smith had been trying to block a John Arne Riise free-kick in the closing stages of the game.

He suffered a horrific leg break and dislocated his ankle after falling awkwardly. Smith said: “I felt my leg go from under me as I went to block a free-kick,” “When I looked down, the leg was lying one way and my ankle was pointing towards Hong Kong so I knew I was in serious trouble.” It was feared that this was a career-ending injury but thankfully an operation to repair the damage was a success and he is expected to make full recovery for season 2006-2007. The injury meant Smith missed the Carling Cup final a week later but United players paid tribute by wearing T-shirts with “For you Smudge” as they collected the trophy.