I'm hungry for United action - Smith

Alan Smith insists a seventh-month absence through injury has only increased his desre to succeed at Manchester United.

The 25-year-old striker is making remarkable progress after breaking a leg in January in an FA Cup defeat by Liverpool and could return in two weeks.

He is taking encouragement from the way Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer have bounced back after lengthy spells out.

“When I return that hunger will be the same for me,” Smith told MUTV.

“I was lucky to get this far without a major injury because football is a physical game.

“You realise how much it does mean to you when you come in every day and are putting in the work after being injured.

“It would be easy to cut corners but you should never do that.

“I like taking part in sport anyway, so doing bike rides was fun.

“My aim has always been to be around for the start of the season (United open against Fulham) and fingers crossed I will not be far off.”

Smith has been delighted at the level of care given to him following his injury.

He said: “The good thing for me was that I had the right people in the right place at the right time.

“The Sunday afternoon saw my leg fixed and in place. You could not ask for more and from then on I had a positive outlook.

“I cannot speak highly enough off the way I have been treated at United. Ever since my injury I have had great feedback from everyone.”

Solskjaer could find himself in conflict with Sir Alex Ferguson after being recalled to the Norway squad for the friendly against Brazil in Oslo on August 16.

The Old Trafford boss will almost certainly be dismayed at the prospect of the 33-year-old returning to immediate international action.

Although Solskjaer has come through the pre-season campaign without a problem, he has missed virtually three seasons with knee trouble.

However the way he performed in the Amsterdam tournament at the weekend caught the eye of Norway coach Age Hareide.

Hareide is hoping to reach a compromise with Ferguson.

“We understand he is concerned,” he told the www.fotboll.no.

“Ole has been out for two years but he looked very good in Amsterdam when I saw him there. With common sense we will find a solution.”

Meanwhile the Football Association have yet to hear from their Dutch counterparts after Wayne Rooney and Scholes were sent off in the victory against Porto in the Amsterdam tournament on Friday.

The United pair are facing the possibility of suspensions which would kick in two weeks after the match as pre-season friendlies are counted as non-first-team games.

United, however, intend to appeal if violent conduct charges are brought.