United must prove they’re ‘still a force’

ALAN SMITH has called on his team-mates to show the rest of the Barclays Premiership “Manchester United are still a force to be reckoned with” over the closing weeks of the season.

Alex Ferguson's men kept up the pressure on Arsenal for runners-up spot with a 4-0 victory at Charlton on Sunday, where Smith netted his first goal since December 18.

Although United still need the Gunners to drop points over the remaining fixtures if they are to clinch second place, and with it automatic qualification for the Champions League, Smith believes everyone can take heart from back-to-back victories in the Premiership, which followed successive league defeats.