Smith wants Premiership over Europe

Alan Smith has added his name to the Manchester United contingent who would take Premiership glory above success in Europe this season.

Outwardly, at least, Alex Ferguson has claimed his multi-million pound squad is targeting each honour with as much desire as always this season.

However, there is a growing admission within the Old Trafford camp that, after two seasons without the Premier League trophy, extra focus is being placed on returning United to domestic superiority.

Gary Neville admitted as much a fortnight ago, and now Smith has followed suit, revealing that, if given the choice, a league title medal would be the one he would really like to have dangling round his neck in May.

"I would take the Premiership, no question," he told the official Manchester United magazine.

"Over the full season, it is the more satisfying thing to win. It is the thing you prepare for every week. It is the competition that takes up most of your time.

"At this club, the Premiership has become almost a tradition and, first and foremost, we have to concentrate on the league," he said.

"There is nothing that would top winning it and we have these players capable of achieving it."