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."
