SMITH

Last updated : 27 July 2004 By editor

Smith made his first appearance for United in the ChampionsWorld series clash with Bayern Munich, but failed to get off the mark in a goalless draw and then missed a spot-kick in the resulting penalty shootout.

Afterwards he said:

"I definitely prefer playing up front. I haven't played there much for two or three years now.When you are a kid at 18 and 19 learning to play new positions it does hinder you but I was quite willing to do that for Leeds. They were a club who needed different players in different situations and I was willing to do it.”

"But the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) has said I am going to play up front. When you come to a club of this stature then they have enough midfield players to fill two teams so they won't need a striker playing in midfield out of position."