Manchester United striker Alan Smith is considering joining Championship leaders Cardiff on loan, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed.
Smith has been unable to break back into the United team since his return from a serious leg break and Ferguson believes the move would do the former Leeds and England forward good as he continues his comeback.
"They phoned us yesterday morning and I thought about it and the fact we are no longer in the League Cup, I thought a short term loan would be ideal for him in terms of getting games," Ferguson said Friday.
"I think he has spoken to someone at Cardiff and he is uncertain about what to do. He is not certain about whether to take it or not.
"As an option to play games that is really the idea and it's a good opportunity to get some in given we are not in the League Cup and he really needs football.
"Reserve team football is really for the youth team and it doesn't present the right challenge for an experienced player like Alan.
"There is a bit of risk about sending him out but in the present situation he needs games quickly. He needs to get through competitive matches and he is still a bit short for us in that. But he is improving and it's only through games that he's going to get it back."
Smith played as a midfielder in the first half of last season but Ferguson has decided not to pursue that experiment in this campaign.
As a forward however, Smith is behind Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the United pecking order.
Smith has been unable to break back into the United team since his return from a serious leg break and Ferguson believes the move would do the former Leeds and England forward good as he continues his comeback.
"They phoned us yesterday morning and I thought about it and the fact we are no longer in the League Cup, I thought a short term loan would be ideal for him in terms of getting games," Ferguson said Friday.
"I think he has spoken to someone at Cardiff and he is uncertain about what to do. He is not certain about whether to take it or not.
"As an option to play games that is really the idea and it's a good opportunity to get some in given we are not in the League Cup and he really needs football.
"Reserve team football is really for the youth team and it doesn't present the right challenge for an experienced player like Alan.
"There is a bit of risk about sending him out but in the present situation he needs games quickly. He needs to get through competitive matches and he is still a bit short for us in that. But he is improving and it's only through games that he's going to get it back."
Smith played as a midfielder in the first half of last season but Ferguson has decided not to pursue that experiment in this campaign.
As a forward however, Smith is behind Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the United pecking order.
Comment