However, the injury Alan Smith sustained in 2006 was one of the worst injuries English football has ever witnessed. Ang3licalD3vil 145,323 views.
I have no regrets, for me I see retiring early being the easy option.”© 2020 Sports New Media Limited. Smith did not escape criticism, with the skipper allegedly saying: “He [Smith] is wandering around as if he is lost. Little did we know that it would be his last game for Leeds.Three weeks later, the same fans that followed and worshipped Smith’s every move would be calling him a traitor, just like Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen, Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand before him. I like to try and judge players on their performances and not what they are going to do, so hopefully in time, Alan will become that player,” Keane said.Praise from either Sir Alex or Keane was taken in stride by Smith, and the commitment and work rate he had shown in his debut season at the club did not falter as he adapted to his new holding midfield role. The scene was set. All Rights Reserved.Manchester United agree €45m deal with Ajax to sign Donny van de BeekManchester United transfers: Ed Woodward could hijack Liverpool's move for ThiagoDonny van de Beek's stats prove he'd form a deadly trio with Pogba and Fernandes at Man UnitedManchester United legend Patrice Evra turns up to play non-league football Months went by, and Smith was putting in solid performances. He composed himself and lashed it past Doni in the Roma goal. “I’ve looked at him at close quarters and I think Alan’s got a good chance of playing in that role. Alan Smith's Injury against Liverpool in the FA Cup 18th Feb - Duration: 1:13. 45 miles away from Manchester though, the unthinkable had happened. Others found the irony in the situation and poked fun at Leeds’ predicament while Smith wore the red shirt. But Smudge played his heart out for the Reds, and if not for that horrific injury, he could have gone on to become a bonafide United legend. The promising start by the Englishman left fans wanting more, and they hoped that he could challenge Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy for a first team place.However, his debut season was hampered by injuries and he missed out on some crucial games, including the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea (United lost 2-1), and the FA Cup final against Arsenal, which the Reds eventually lost on penalties. Still, Smith scored ten goals in all competitions – which wasn’t a great tally by any means, but gave fans hope that he would come good next season.Sir Alex certainly had high hopes for Smith – ahead of the 2005/06 season, it emerged that the manager had earmarked the striker as a successor for Roy Keane in the United engine room, stating: “Roy sees characteristics in Alan that he saw in himself as a young player, which could help Alan develop into a very good player in that position.”The United skipper agreed with his manager’s assessment. Then came a succession of games where Smith would be substituted off or brought on before he would be given the chance to start in a big game.
Either way, the man from Rothwell would have to hit the ground running if he was to win over the fans – after all, first impressions are everything.Clearly Smudge believed in that mantra, scoring a sumptuous volley on his debut against Arsenal in the Community Shield (a game that United eventually lost 3-1) before scoring another one against Norwich City on his Old Trafford debut, this time on his weaker foot. It was a difficult decision because crossing the Pennines always causes a lot of hostility but from a personal point of view Manchester United can offer me everything I want.”Smith’s decision also endeared him to his new manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who said: “I’ve never more impressed with a young player. Those rumours were swiftly put to bed though, as Smith wanted to fight his way back into first team contention by embarking on a gruelling fitness programme.Smudge would return to first team contention, playing fifteen minutes in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Lille in March 2007, before making his first competitive start at Old Trafford since the horrific injury against Liverpool two and a half weeks later in an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Middlesbrough. United won 1-0 through a Darren Fletcher goal, and Smith was given the man of the match award. Smith replaced Fletcher in the second minute of extra time in that game – it would also prove to be his last competitive appearance for United.Smith would appear on United’s pre-season tour of the Far East ahead of the following season, but Newcastle United had put in a bid of around £6 million for him. Top 25 Punches That Will Never Be Forgotten... Pt2 - Duration: 18:51. He even waived the £1 million transfer fee owed to him by Leeds, but this did not stop some Leeds fans being betrayed by his actions, even though the club had publicly stated that they could not afford to pay his wages, and it was later revealed that Leeds had engineered the move themselves (United were the only club that were willing to pay Smith’s transfer fee upfront).At his unveiling, Smith said: “Not a lot of people would have brave enough to make this step. Smith was a favourite in the dressing room and had won over the fans with his heart, drive and passion, and this was a fitting tribute to a man who may have suffered a career-ending injury. Smith suffered a similar problem while at Man United career and it left a lasting mark on him. Despite his prior connections with Leeds United, he quickly won over the fans with his determination and dedication to being the best player he could.
I have no regrets, for me I see retiring early being the easy option.”© 2020 Sports New Media Limited. Smith did not escape criticism, with the skipper allegedly saying: “He [Smith] is wandering around as if he is lost. Little did we know that it would be his last game for Leeds.Three weeks later, the same fans that followed and worshipped Smith’s every move would be calling him a traitor, just like Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen, Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand before him. I like to try and judge players on their performances and not what they are going to do, so hopefully in time, Alan will become that player,” Keane said.Praise from either Sir Alex or Keane was taken in stride by Smith, and the commitment and work rate he had shown in his debut season at the club did not falter as he adapted to his new holding midfield role. The scene was set. All Rights Reserved.Manchester United agree €45m deal with Ajax to sign Donny van de BeekManchester United transfers: Ed Woodward could hijack Liverpool's move for ThiagoDonny van de Beek's stats prove he'd form a deadly trio with Pogba and Fernandes at Man UnitedManchester United legend Patrice Evra turns up to play non-league football Months went by, and Smith was putting in solid performances. He composed himself and lashed it past Doni in the Roma goal. “I’ve looked at him at close quarters and I think Alan’s got a good chance of playing in that role. Alan Smith's Injury against Liverpool in the FA Cup 18th Feb - Duration: 1:13. 45 miles away from Manchester though, the unthinkable had happened. Others found the irony in the situation and poked fun at Leeds’ predicament while Smith wore the red shirt. But Smudge played his heart out for the Reds, and if not for that horrific injury, he could have gone on to become a bonafide United legend. The promising start by the Englishman left fans wanting more, and they hoped that he could challenge Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy for a first team place.However, his debut season was hampered by injuries and he missed out on some crucial games, including the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea (United lost 2-1), and the FA Cup final against Arsenal, which the Reds eventually lost on penalties. Still, Smith scored ten goals in all competitions – which wasn’t a great tally by any means, but gave fans hope that he would come good next season.Sir Alex certainly had high hopes for Smith – ahead of the 2005/06 season, it emerged that the manager had earmarked the striker as a successor for Roy Keane in the United engine room, stating: “Roy sees characteristics in Alan that he saw in himself as a young player, which could help Alan develop into a very good player in that position.”The United skipper agreed with his manager’s assessment. Then came a succession of games where Smith would be substituted off or brought on before he would be given the chance to start in a big game.
Either way, the man from Rothwell would have to hit the ground running if he was to win over the fans – after all, first impressions are everything.Clearly Smudge believed in that mantra, scoring a sumptuous volley on his debut against Arsenal in the Community Shield (a game that United eventually lost 3-1) before scoring another one against Norwich City on his Old Trafford debut, this time on his weaker foot. It was a difficult decision because crossing the Pennines always causes a lot of hostility but from a personal point of view Manchester United can offer me everything I want.”Smith’s decision also endeared him to his new manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who said: “I’ve never more impressed with a young player. Those rumours were swiftly put to bed though, as Smith wanted to fight his way back into first team contention by embarking on a gruelling fitness programme.Smudge would return to first team contention, playing fifteen minutes in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Lille in March 2007, before making his first competitive start at Old Trafford since the horrific injury against Liverpool two and a half weeks later in an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Middlesbrough. United won 1-0 through a Darren Fletcher goal, and Smith was given the man of the match award. Smith replaced Fletcher in the second minute of extra time in that game – it would also prove to be his last competitive appearance for United.Smith would appear on United’s pre-season tour of the Far East ahead of the following season, but Newcastle United had put in a bid of around £6 million for him. Top 25 Punches That Will Never Be Forgotten... Pt2 - Duration: 18:51. He even waived the £1 million transfer fee owed to him by Leeds, but this did not stop some Leeds fans being betrayed by his actions, even though the club had publicly stated that they could not afford to pay his wages, and it was later revealed that Leeds had engineered the move themselves (United were the only club that were willing to pay Smith’s transfer fee upfront).At his unveiling, Smith said: “Not a lot of people would have brave enough to make this step. Smith was a favourite in the dressing room and had won over the fans with his heart, drive and passion, and this was a fitting tribute to a man who may have suffered a career-ending injury. Smith suffered a similar problem while at Man United career and it left a lasting mark on him. Despite his prior connections with Leeds United, he quickly won over the fans with his determination and dedication to being the best player he could.