BACK ON STRIKE

Alan Smith insists his seven-month absence through injury has only increased his desire to succeed at Manchester United. The 25-year-old forward is making remarkable progress after breaking a leg in January in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool and could return in two weeks.

"When I return, that hunger will be the same for me. 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. My aim has always been to be around for the start of the season and, fingers crossed, I will not be far off.

"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 of the way I have been treated at United."