Smith targets starting spot

Alan Smith has pledged to force his way into Manchester United’s starting line-up next season no matter which galaxy of stars stand in his way.

Smith completed his controversial £7m (€10.5m) switch from Leeds yesterday evening after successfully coming through his Old Trafford medical and immediately set his sights on ousting either Ruud van Nistelrooy or Louis Saha from Alex Ferguson’s first-choice side.

Understanding completely the revulsion being felt on the eastern side of the Pennines at his decision, the 23-year-old England forward is determined he will not put himself through such trauma just to be a substitute.

So, even though the formidable presence of van Nistelrooy – 110 goals in three seasons at Old Trafford – and Louis Saha – seven goals in 12 league games - stand in his way, Smith is not prepared to contemplate life on the bench.

“I am not prepared to spend time on the bench,” he told MUTV. “I want to make an impact straight away.

“If you are going to be successful as a team, you need a good squad but I believe I am good enough to play in the team. Hopefully I will be proved right.”

Smith has become the 10th player to move directly between the bitter Roses rivals but none of the deals has generated such hostility.

Even Eric Cantona’s switch from Elland Road in 1992 won favour on the red half of the Pennines.

The problem for United fans this time is a combination of Smith’s long-expressed support for Leeds and the fact his goalscoring record for the West Yorkshire outfit – 58 goals in 211 games – does not inspire confidence.

Ferguson though is a long-time admirer and warmed to the Yorkshireman even more when he stuck his neck out to declare he was only interested in a move to Old Trafford despite interest from Everton, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

“I have never been more impressed with a young player,” said the Scot.

“His desire to play for Manchester United is fantastic.

“Certain young people come along with a special determination and, after speaking to him, I expect that from Alan Smith. That desire will take him a long way.”

In bringing Smith to the club, Ferguson has also taken another step towards lowering the age profile of a squad still built largely around the famous ‘Class of 92’.

The presence of defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea, the emergence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher in the latter half of the campaign, plus the imminent arrival of Celtic midfielder Liam Miller has given the new United squad a youthful look.

Just 24 hours since their own review revealed they had paid over £14m (€21m) in agents fees in the three years from January 2001, United added another hair-raising £750,000 (€1.1m) to that figure as part of an overall package that will see cash-strapped Leeds net their entire £6m (€9m) cut of the fee up front.

The agent fee is an astounding sum given Leeds managed to push through the deal without employing one and it was the Elland Road outfit who first made contact about the player’s availability.

For his part, Smith waved the signing-on fees he was owed to push the deal through, one last gesture to a club he said he one day hoped to play for again only to make the move that now renders it an impossible dream.

“Not a lot of people would have been brave enough to make this step,” he said.

“I know all about the cross-Pennine rivalry and the hostility between the two sets of supporters. But I am prepared for what comes with that and I am looking forward to the challenge of playing for Manchester United.

“I can’t wait to get started. I want to prove myself here and win the fans over with my performances on the field.”

Under the circumstances, Smith could hardly claim his move is a dream come true. Instead, he said United were the epitome of everything he desired as a young footballer kicking a ball around in the streets of Rothwell.

“Growing up, I wanted to be the best I could be,” he said. “I want to win everything I can. That is the biggest reason for coming here.

“Manchester United is a team of winners. They play in every tournament going and I want to become a winner too.”