Smith returns to forward duties for United

Alex Ferguson is ready to turn Alan Smith into a forward once again as he tries to juggle his striking options.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy seemingly set to sign for Real Madrid any day soon and a move for Fernando Torres apparently stalling, Manchester United’s attacking department is looking slightly threadbare just a month before the new Barclays Premiership campaign kicks off.

United have been linked with Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe, while Juventus forward David Trezeguet could be available for a cut-price fee following the scandal-hit Turin giants’ relegation to Serie B.

However, it seems Ferguson is considering starting the season by making the best use of the forwards he currently has, less Van Nistelrooy.

Such a move would probably startle most Red Devils fans even though Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney forged an effective partnership over the final few months of last season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to fitness provides another dimension, while Ferguson is ready to ditch plans to send youngster Giuseppe Rossi out on loan.

But a more telling move is confirmation that, after a season of trying to fill in for Roy Keane in central midfield, Smith is to be restored to the centre-forward position Ferguson claimed he was signed for when he captured the 25-year-old in a controversial £7m (€10.2m) deal from Leeds two years ago.

The England international is still a month away from getting back to full training following his horrific leg break in an ill-fated FA Cup tie at Liverpool in February.

But, when he does return, Smith will be back in the front line, with Ferguson hoping for the type of form which saw the tenacious Yorkshireman score four times in his first five appearances for the Old Trafford outfit.

Ferguson said: “We are not too badly off in the forwards department. We are going to convert Alan Smith back into being a forward. He will be back in training soon and should be available by the end of August or the beginning of September.

“We also have Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney and we are considering keeping Giuseppe Rossi with us if Ruud van Nistelrooy does end up with him leaving, even though I would prefer him to go out on loan for six months.”

The Van Nistelrooy saga seems no nearer reaching an imminent conclusion following Ferguson’s admission last night that United had rejected a bid from Real Madrid for the 30-year-old.

It is thought the Premiership club are holding out for around £15m (€22m) for the former PSV Eindhoven man, while Real are only currently offering £10m (€14.6m).

New Real president Ramon Calderon remains confident Van Nistelrooy will eventually end up at the Bernabeu as one of the four new signings he hopes to unveil next week.

“With regard to Van Nistelrooy, we have to wait,” said Calderon.

“From what (club sporting director) Pedja Mijatovic has told me, the player wants to come to Real Madrid but it is normal that Manchester United want to make as much money as possible from the transfer.”

It is probably in the interests of all parties for the transfer to be concluded by the end of the week as Van Nistelrooy is due to report back to United for pre-season training on Monday.

As he is still officially their player, United still expect the Dutchman to return to Carrington, although given the striker’s current relations with the Old Trafford hierarchy, it is difficult to see what that purpose would serve.

Should Van Nistelrooy fail to show, as is entirely likely, he would be subjected to an automatic fine of two weeks wages, around £180,000 (€263,000).

While the money is largely irrelevant, it would be a sad way to mark the exit of a player who last season became only the eighth player in United history to score 150 goals for the club.