Leeds fans fury as Smith set for United

Alan Smith will spark fury among Leeds fans when he finally completes a £7m (€10.4m) move to Manchester United within the next 48 hours.

The controversial deal is a package which will see left-back Danny Pugh arrive at Elland Road, despite the fact Leeds are still without a manager.

Manchester United have refused to comment, but an announcement is expected to be confirmed to the Stock Exchange once Smith has completed his medical, due to take place on Wednesday.

The two Uniteds have finally reached a compromise after Leeds rejected two offers for the 23-year-old England international last Tuesday.

Although there was interest from Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool and Everton, Smith made it clear he wanted to move across the Pennines to join Leeds’ bitter rivals.

The Old Trafford club are able to offer Smith Champions League football for next season – even if they have to go through a qualifying round before reaching the lucrative group stages – as the striker looks to further his England ambitions.

Following recent negotiations, temporarily suspended due to Manchester United’s FA Cup final appointment, Leeds were hoping United would return with a straight cash bid.

But Alex Ferguson has instead offered Pugh as a makeweight in the transfer, with the 21-year-old having made just seven appearances in his two seasons at the club, and with two last term.

Pugh played the full 90 minutes of United’s 2-0 Carling Cup fourth-round defeat at West Brom, and then was an 89th minute sub in the FA Cup fourth-round win at Northampton.

Leeds fans, though, will be incensed at Smith’s decision to join United, particularly after he was feted in the club’s final home game of the season just over two weeks ago.

Smith was treated like a god, with supporters raising him on their shoulders following the 3-3 draw against Charlton, realising it would be the last time they would see him in a Whites shirt at Elland Road following Leeds’ relegation to the Coca-Cola League.

Smith had kissed the badge and saluted the fans after scoring a penalty in that game, but is now set to enrage those who have idolised him over the years.

Their ire is such, it is certain Smith will not be invited to collect his supporters’ player-of-the-year award early next season after becoming the first to win it two years in succession.

A similar situation unfolded two years ago when centre-back Rio Ferdinand picked up the honour, only to then defect to Manchester United, which resulted in his invitation being subsequently revoked.