Interview: Alan Smith
26/5/04 6:15 PM
Alan Smith has made the controversial switch from Elland Road to Old Trafford with the move causing divisions in thought on both sides of the Pennines.
Smith says the move has come at the right time in his career; for footballing reasons he is making a step up on the ladder, regardless of place of birth or allegiance.
And to any sceptical Reds, he says he aims to win them over with hard work and goals. Whatever your stance on this highly emotive transfer, this interview with MUTV shows Smith is adamant he has made the right move, and determined to prove himself right...
What are your first thoughts on joining Manchester United?
"I'm very excited to have signed for United. It's a massive club with massive credentials and a great history and I'm really looking forward to being a part of that."
There were a few other clubs that wanted to sign you; what was it that made you decide to come to Old Trafford?
"I'm at a stage in my career where I feel I'm ready to come to a massive club. I've played at a big club like Leeds for the first few years of my career and I've moved to Manchester United for me. Hopefully it'll be the start of something massive for myself."
"From a personal point of view, and purely for football reasons, Manchester United was the club I wanted to come to."
Alan Smith
How hard a decision was it to make the move across the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester?
"Obviously it's been a difficult one because of the cross-Pennine divide and the hostility between the two sets of fans. But from a personal point of view, and purely for football reasons, Manchester United was the club I wanted to come to. I feel they can offer everything I want as a footballer and hopefully help me develop and win trophies along the way."
How do you hope to win the United fans over?
"By scoring goals and through my performances on the pitch. Coming to a massive club is a huge step in my career and I've also grown up a lot over the last few years. Leeds United as a team and as a club have helped me to do that, and hopefully I can continue my learning period at United and win the fans over through my performances on the field."
How much are you looking forward to working with the United players?
"Playing and training with world class players week in, week out can only help to improve you as a player. A lot's been made of my departure from Leeds to Manchester United, but coming here can only help me improve as a person as well. Not a lot of people would have been brave enough to make that step. But I'm prepared for what comes with it and I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing for Manchester United."
What about playing alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha?
"I can't wait to play with the likes of Ruud and Louis. I know when I see the fixture list for the start of the season, it'll give me a big buzz and I can't wait to get going in pre-season. I'm looking forward to a new challenge for myself and also a new challenge at Manchester United."
What words of encouragement has Sir Alex Ferguson offered to you?
"I've had a few words with the manager and I know he's looking forward to having me here and I'm looking forward to working with him. I can't wait for the season to get under way now."
Given the competition for places at the club particularly upfront, are you prepared to spend some time on the bench?
"No not really. When you come to a new club you want to make an impression straight away and I'm no different. I believe in my own ability and that I'm good enough to play in this team and hopefully I'll be proved right. If you're going to be successful as a team you've got to have a good squad. There's no doubt we've got that here and competition for places is very good."
Most players come to Old Trafford wanting to win trophies, presumably you're no different...
"That's the main reason why I came to United. As a club they can offer you the chance to play in every major tournament around and I want to win everything I can. They're a club that always wants to be the best and as a person growing up, I've always wanted to do the best I can and be a winner. I think coming into a team like this, which needs winners in it, is great and hopefully I can be a winner as well."
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