Smith says Scholes’ decision to quit England is good news for United
Scholes announced his retirement on Tuesday, delivering a blow to England’s 2006 World Cup qualification hopes.
At 29, the Red Devils midfielder had plenty still to offer the national side but, after seven years of travelling around the world on England duty, the quiet man of Old Trafford has decided to devote any spare time to his wife and young family.
While Smith is only at the beginning of his international career and is not able to envisage a time when he does not want to play for his country any more, he accepts that with 66 caps to his name, Scholes looks at the situation in a very different light.
And while England can only lament the loss of one of the finest players of his generation, the spin-offs for United can only be positive.
“Paul will be a great loss for England but it is good news for Manchester United,” said Smith, who has spent the last month closely observing the flame-haired star following his controversial summer move from Leeds.
“He is a world-class player but people have to realise he is also a big family man.
“His wife is expecting another baby and I guess that has given him something else to think about.
Scholes was watching from the Old Trafford stands last night as Smith made his first appearance on the ground he now considers home in the 1-0 Vodafone Cup win over PSV Eindhoven.
After impressing on the recent United States tour with his aggressive and energetic displays, Smith was delighted to receive an affectionate welcome from the Red Devils support when he made his entrance at half-time.
Though he has continued to insist he will give the same commitment to the Red Devils as he did to Leeds.
“Anyone who has any doubts about me will soon realise I am 100% committed to Manchester United.”
Alex Ferguson has already declared how impressed he has been with his £7 million summer acquisition, who is looking to break the first-choice striking partnership of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha.
Smith is certainly not fazed by that challenge, even though van Nistelrooy is the second quickest man in United history to score a century of goals and Saha has been hugely impressive since he moved from Fulham.
“I know I am good enough to play in this team,” he said.
lManchester United will play Dinamo Bucharest in the Champions League third qualifying round.
The Romanian team beat MSK Zilina last night 1-0 for a 2-0 aggregate success.
The first leg will take place in Romania next Wednesday, with the return two weeks later on August 25.
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