Sir Alex Ferguson insists Alan Smith will not be leaving
Manchester United in January.
Reports have claimed that Everton are plotting a £6million bid for
the striker when the transfer window reopens.
Smith is currently working on an intensive fitness programme as he
looks to return to peak condition after his double leg fracture
back in February.
He remains part of United's plans for the second half of the season
and Ferguson is not considering the sale of Smith.
"Yes, that is correct," replied Ferguson when asked if he would
reject any offers 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."
Smith could have joined Cardiff City on loan in the autumn and, in
hindsight, Ferguson feels the player made the right decision in
rejecting the move.
Ferguson added: "He did the right thing. He could have gone and
played games, but not been 100 per cent 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."
