Smith has doubts over loan switch to Cardiff

ALEX FERGUSON has confirmed he wants Alan Smith to go to Cardiff on loan to improve his match fitness — but the striker is undecided.

Cardiff contacted Manchester United on Thursday to ask if the former Leeds player was available on loan and received a favourable response from Ferguson despite being short of forwards himself.

Smith, 26, has made only four appearances this season — two in the Carling Cup and two as substitute in the Champions League — and has not reached the level he was at when he broke a leg and dislocated an ankle against Liverpool in February.

Ferguson said: “Because we are no longer in the League Cup I thought a short-term loan would have been ideal for him to get games.

“I put that to him and he has spoken to Cardiff but I think he is uncertain about what to do.”

Ferguson admitted sending Smith on loan was a gamble — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is out for up to three weeks with a hamstring tear and United are short of cover for Rooney and Saha.

Meanwhile United are keen on signing Freddy Adu if the American teenager can prove himself, Ferguson has confirmed.

The 17-year-old is due to come to United for a two-week trial and could sign in the January window.

Asked if he was interested in signing the midfielder, Ferguson said: “I think so, he’s only a young lad but we have known of him for a long time.

“We tried to get him here some years ago but he signed for DC United and that stopped the progress of us keeping tabs on him.”