Mr Smith goes to Manchester

Manchester United have completed the controversial £7m (€10m) transfer of Alan Smith from Leeds United.

The 23-year-old England forward completed his medical this afternoon and has signed a five-year contract with the Old Trafford outfit.

Smith, who is on standby for England’s Euro 2004 campaign, has attracted intense criticism over the move from Leeds fans who have condemned their former hero for joining their fiercest rivals.

Earlier new Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell said thankyou and goodbye to Smith, who is now set to complete his controversial move to Old Trafford tomorrow.

He said: “I’ve spoken to Smithy a few times.

“In the cold light of day he wouldn’t have left if we had stayed up, but from a professional point of view he had to move on and I respect that decision.

“Equally the club needs money to survive, so Alan’s transfer fee becomes very important.”