Moyes to bid £6m for Alan Smith

zocoss SG

EVERTON are ready to make a £6million bid for Alan Smith next month.

Boss David Moyes is a big fan of the Manchester United striker although he is unsure whether Alex Ferguson will sell. Smith has been unable to break into the first team after recovering from a broken leg and ankle.

The former England man, who turned down a loan move to Cardiff last month, faces a crucial Christmas period. With so many games over the next fortnight, he will learn if boss Fergie sees him as part of his plans.

If he does not figure, ex-Leeds star Smith, 26, may decide the writing is on the wall and that he should look to a future away from Old Trafford.

Fergusons capture of Henrik Larsson, who is eligible to play for United from January 1, is likely to push Smith further down the pecking order

But with United still in the Champions League, Fergie will be reluctant to reduce his squad. So it will take a good deal of persuasion from Moyes to force his hand.

dinky1409 SG

Please don't leave smithie.... Crying or Very sad

used SG

nvm keep the 6m and just giv us cahill

bryanseb SG

u cant leave…. Smithie…...

zocoss SG

SMITH GOING NOWHERE, INSISTS FERGIE

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Everton they have no chance of prising Alan Smith away from Manchester United next month.

Smith has been working on a personal fitness programme after failing to re-establish himself in United's senior squad since his recovery from the horrific double leg fracture he suffered at Liverpool last February.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returning to action, Giuseppe Rossi heading back to Old Trafford from a loan spell at Newcastle and Henrik Larsson due to link up with his new team-mates for a 10-week stint with the Red Devils on January 2, there have been suggestions Ferguson might be prepared to let Smith leave.

However, the United boss has dismissed the idea out of hand, revealing Smith is now nearing full fitness again after turning down the opportunity to travel with the first team squad to West Ham last weekend, and Aston Villa on Saturday, to push himself towards first-team duty.

"Yes, that is correct," said Ferguson when asked if United would reject any offer from Everton for Smith.

"Alan is doing really well at the moment. "We put him on a speed programme, which had an immediate effect and we have seen a tremendous improvement in him over the last month. "He is certainly not far away now.

"I wanted to take him down to West Ham but he didn't want to go. He just wanted to stay and train on his own. He deserves great credit for that because it is not easy.

"He doesn't want to travel again tomorrow either, so he will be training again."

Earlier this season, the 26-year-old rejected the offer of a loan spell at Cardiff, preferring instead to remain at United and work on his fitness there. At the time, Ferguson stated his belief the move would have been good for Smith. However, now the Scot accepts his £6million forward made the correct decision. "He did the right thing," he said.

"He could have gone and played games but not been 100% to play in them, whether it is the Championship or the Premier League. "Instead we worked out a programme to improve his speed that he has really taken to."

R3SsH|n SG

keep him…they will need him during the christmas and new year period..

dinky1409 SG

I can’t believe this guy.. I love his attitude.. He is my idol man.. Respect him sia.. Smith is the man!!

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Sir Alex: Smith going nowhere

Sir Alex Ferguson has issued a hands-off warning to Everton after media speculation linked the Toffees with a £6million January move for Alan Smith.

The United boss said he would reject any interest from the Merseysiders and again praised Smith for the recent commitment hes shown to regaining full fitness.

Hes doing great, acknowledged Sir Alex. I wanted to take him to West Ham last weekend but he didnt want to go. Instead, he wanted to stay in Manchester and train on his own. Hes doing the same thing on Saturday when we travel to Villa. I applaud that commitment because training on your own is never easy.

Smith, who suffered a double leg fracture against Liverpool in February, turned down a loan spell with Cardiff last month in order to remain at Old Trafford and fight for a first team place; a decision Sir Alex has given his full backing.

He could have gone to Cardiff and played games, but he wouldnt have been 100 per cent during matches," insisted the Reds' manager. "I think he did the right thing [by staying at United].

Sir Alex also quashed rumours suggesting Uniteds owners had imposed a spending limit on the teams transfer dealings during the January window.

Its absolute nonsense, but it is the silly season, joked the Scot. Theres no set figure from the Glazer family [for transfers]. They operate in the same way that United have always operated.

"If were after a player, we will present the case to David Gill and the Glazers in the same way I used to do with Martin Edwards and the PLC board. Its exactly the same.

bryanseb SG

haiz…........

iceFatboy SG

just how many strikers does Everton needs?? or for that matters newcastle??
they just seems so top heavy.

however, in respect for smith, if he doesn't start playing like for example, Park is, he may never get a chance once the chase heats up after christmas.

agree??

Dead_Man_Inc SG

correct

but i wish that he don't leave Crying or Very sad

iceFatboy SG

yes, he brings so much character and energy.

but looking forward, if we are going to move forward and stops the blue juggernaut, we need to cut off excess weight.

and if sadly, smith can't perform, I don't expect SAF to keep more than one emotional joker in the deck like Ole.

red_amoeba SG

I think alot depends whether Alan Smith can come out of this 'fitness' regime fully fit. the advantage that Smith have over Sokljaer is that he can play aggressive midfielder (something like the mould of Keane) whereas Solks, while he can play midfield is not that aggressive. Don't forget, Smith is younger than Solks.

I think SAf would want him in the squad in case he cannot sign Heagraves in Jan. Then he can at least play him in midfield with Scholes, replacing Carrick or sometimes he can push Smith to play behind the strikers.

Smith has proved that he can score goals - when he single handly popped in goals during the difficult times where Man U has only him to depend on as striker. On that merit alone, he deserves to stay abit longer to 'prove' himself after the injury.

Besides, I think in terms of getting goals / tackling, he is better than Fletcher, I feel. At least his aggression is there.

dragg SG

i hope smith stays.

iceFatboy SG

smith is like a lost ship playing DM.

I would prefer a specialised person playing that role like OwenH or Barton.

Look at Pool,or Chelsea, they have Alsono, and Makele who are making a big difference.

sitting in front of defence..