Smith will not snub Man Utd

Alan Smith: could be tempted to move to Man Utd

14 April 2012

Alan Smith admitted today he would consider joining Leeds United's bitter rivals Manchester United.

Many believed that the lifelong Elland Road supporter would not leave for Old Trafford to avoid upsetting supporters who idolise him.

But the 23-year-old England striker said: "At this stage you can't rule out anything. People always say that Leeds United and Man United are big rivals, but next year we are not even going to be in the same division so it's not even a rivalry.

"I'm not saying I want to walk out of here and go to Man United, but they're a massive club. If you said the same thing to me about Valencia or Juventus, I'd tell you the same answer. At this stage of my career, if I want to win trophies and I want to do well, then I've got to move on.

"If I were 32 I'd stay here, it's as simple as that. But I'm not, I'm 23, I've got a lot of football in me and I'm an ambitious person."

Sir Alex Ferguson is known to be a big admirer of Smith's battling qualities and Eric Cantona has shown that a player can overcome the Roses rivalry under the Scot's guidance.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has claimed success for England at Euro 2004 would wreck United's Champions League preparations.

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea condemned the Red Devils to play in the third qualifying round for the second time in three years.

Despite United's high seeding, Anderlecht, Red Star Belgrade and Rosenborg are potential opponents for a place in the group stages, with the first leg due to be played on 11 August, four days before the start of the new Premiership season.

Past experience has told the Scot that all his squad will need a one-month break before returning to training.

Up to nine members of his squad will be in Portugal for Euro 2004, including five in the England party if Wes Brown is chosen.

And if Sven-Goran Eriksson's team were to reach the final, Ferguson fears it would prevent Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Brown and the Neville brothers from being part of his Champions League plans.

"If any of them get to the final of Euro 2004 on 4 July, it is unlikely they will play in the qualifying round of the Champions League because they wouldn't come back to us until 2 August," Ferguson said.

"Past experience has taught me that when a player appears in a big tournament like the European Championship, they need a full month off."

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Smith will not snub Man Utd

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