A bitter rival swore he’d never play for Manchester United – and then he did

“Traditionally, it has been there for a very long time,” Sir Alex Ferguson as soon as stated concerning the rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds.

“I’ve all the time stated Liverpool-Manchester United video games are fierce, nevertheless it by no means reaches the degrees of Leeds United. By no means.”

The rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds could be traced again to the times of Matt Busby and Don Revie in opposing dugouts.

Nonetheless, because the years glided by, the rivalry between the 2 golf equipment intensified to new heights.

The conflict between the 2 sides would develop into fueled by hatred, with the fixture typically marred with violent off-field incidents amongst supporters.

When Leeds have been relegated in 2004, United’s followers rejoiced.

Alan Smith, Leeds born and bred, who had vowed to remain at Elland Highway regardless of relegation, was pictured in tears and kissing the Leeds badge on the day they have been despatched down.

Smith’s uncooked outpouring of emotion for his hometown membership wasn’t shocking.

Nonetheless, after claiming he’d by no means be a part of United, Smith sealed a transfer to Outdated Trafford that summer time, and Leeds’ followers have been left shocked.

That is the story of the person who dared to cross enemy strains.

In an interview with Soccer AM in 2002, Alan Smith, Leeds United’s rising star, was requested an array of questions, together with: “Is there a group you’d by no means play for?”

“Yeah, Man United,” Smith uttered with an harmless smirk throughout his face.

Hailing from Rothwell, Leeds, Smith joined Leeds United’s academy on the age of 10-year-old earlier than progressing by way of the youth group ranks.

Smith’s expertise was recognised, and the proud Yorkshireman would characterize England’s U16s earlier than making his first-team breakthrough.

Simply three weeks after his 18th birthday in November 1998, Smith scored together with his first contact in senior soccer away at Anfield, offering the inspiration for Leeds to win 3-1.

That efficiency had Leeds’ followers dreaming – Smith was one in all their very own.

The next season Smith would consolidate his first-team place, changing into a key element in Leeds’ group that might take pleasure in nice success.

He was adored by Leeds’ supporters, and whereas his contribution when it comes to quantity of objectives was by no means spectacular, Smith captured hearts by way of his relentless nature and grit.

Smith would play alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Michael Bridges and Mark Viduka in a golden period for the membership, serving to them to problem for European soccer.

However, with looming debt hanging over the membership, Leeds would quickly endure a spectacular fall from grace, promoting Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Keane earlier than the summer time window of 2002 ended.

Their outcomes inevitably started to deteriorate that season, and Leeds went from ending fifth to narrowly avoiding relegation.

There was one silver lining, although, as Smith’s improvement continued, making him one of many nation’s most enjoyable forwards

As a token of appreciation from the followers, Smith received the membership’s ‘Supporter’s Participant of the 12 months’ award for 2 years operating between 2003 and 2004 for his performances.

This was a primary in Leeds’ historical past, though Smith would quickly make an enormous resolution that might ship reverberations round Elland Highway, angering the membership’s supporters.

“There had been speak about me singing in January and I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson about it,” Smith defined, talking to the UTD podcast final 12 months. “However I could not register January as a result of I wished to maintain Leeds up.”

Smith’s efforts to keep up Leeds’ Premier League standing have been in useless, with the membership struggling relegation on the finish of the 2003/04 season.

After 14 consecutive seasons within the high flight, and with the membership in monetary disaster, Leeds followers have been left devastated, however one other bitter blow was about to land.

“United went and signed Louis Saha from Fulham, so I simply thought my transfer was lifeless and buried, and that they wouldn’t need me,” Smith mirrored.

“I used to be at residence on the time and Sir Alex rang and I made my resolution there after which with out consulting anyone else.

“I don’t wish to make any excuse for signing for Manchester United as a result of it was a football-based resolution. From the membership’s [Leeds] standpoint, it was monetary.

“I’d be doing myself a disservice if I did not signal for, arguably at the moment, the most important membership on this planet.”

Smith accomplished his switch to United in late Could 2004 in a deal price £7m.

The life-long Leeds fan, 23-year-old on the time, was additionally contractually owed a minimize of his switch charge as a result of he by no means requested a transfer.

Notably, Smith waived that charge for the membership’s profit, nevertheless it would not stop the outrage from Leeds supporters who labelled him “Judas.”

Regardless of the criticism, United’s newest addition stated he was becoming a member of “one of many world’s largest golf equipment”, and Sir Alex Ferguson, talking instantly after the transfer, additionally shared his delight.

“I’ve by no means been extra impressed with a younger participant, his need to play for Manchester United is improbable,” Ferguson stated.

“Sure younger individuals come together with a particular dedication, and after talking to him I count on that from Alan Smith. That need will take him a good distance.”

“For me, it wasn’t even a rivalry anymore. If you happen to’re not in the identical league as somebody I don’t perceive how it may be,” Smith stated final 12 months, touching upon the controversial transfer.

“I’d been there from 10-years-old, so it was huge for them that I selected the vacation spot that I did. However as I take a look at it, they need to be pleased with one in all their very own younger gamers occurring to no matter vacation spot it was, when it comes to the calibre you go to.

“That shouldn’t be forgotten as a result of it’s a Leeds-Man United rivalry. I feel it didn’t actually hassle me as a result of it was a call I made purely primarily based on the great of Leeds financially and myself footballing clever.”

Whereas it was a call Smith made when it comes to footballing ambition, he had claimed simply two years beforehand that he would by no means play for United.

“I used to be a child when Eric [Cantona] went to Man United and I used to be in all probability a type of throwing stones on the group bus when he got here!” Smith laughed final 12 months earlier than drawing comparisons neither set of followers would doubtless wish to hear.

“The traits of each golf equipment are very, very related when it comes to the beliefs, the historical past of the golf equipment, the people who find themselves concerned in it, the kinds.

“The eagerness of the followers may be very, very related. I feel that’s why it made my transition fairly straightforward in that first 12 months.

“And also you’re surrounded by world-class gamers, which makes it somewhat bit simpler as effectively.”

Smith would make his United debut within the Group Defend on the previous Wembley in opposition to Arsenal in August 2004, lining up alongside Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes amongst others.

As he wished, he was surrounded by world-class gamers, nevertheless it was really a second of brilliance from Smith that offered United with their aim.

After anticipating the trajectory of a ricocheting ball, Smith emerged between Arsenal’s defenders to volley residence from 20-yards to attain United’s equaliser.

Whereas the Reds would lose the sport 3-1, Smith’s aim was a second of particular person inspiration, with the teen immediately making an impression on his United debut.

The response of Smith to that aim years later offers an perception into his mentality, as he clearly possessed the required mindset to succeed at Outdated Trafford.

“It was good to get a aim in opposition to Arsenal, however the defeat made it somewhat bit tougher.

“It wasn’t actually nice [scoring on his debut] as a result of we bought beat, however when it comes to getting off to a superb begin at a brand new membership, scoring is all the time good.

“Going to Manchester United, you aren’t bothered about your aim ratio, you’re extra bothered about getting again to successful.

Impressively, Smith scored one other volley on his league debut in opposition to Norwich and would end the season with 42 appearances throughout all competitions for United, having scored 10 objectives.

Nonetheless, with Wayne Rooney proving sensational for United and with Ruud van Nistelrooy coming back from the sidelines, Smith was relegated to the bench for the 2005/06 marketing campaign.

Smith scored only one aim that season with Sir Alex Ferguson opting to make use of him in a deep-lying midfield position, making an attempt to fill the void an injured Keane had left behind.

Altering place to fill Keane’s boots wasn’t straightforward for Smith. “Roy Keane might be unattainable to interchange as a participant and as a personality, particularly at Manchester United,” he defined.

“No-one may ever replicate it, so it was [about me] making an attempt to do nearly as good a job in the same place. It wasn’t like, ‘you’re going to be a Roy Keane’. I may by no means try this job.

“I wouldn’t have needed to do it as a lot as I did if Roy would have been as match as regular,” he added.

Smith’s dedication and perspective may by no means be questioned. He tirelessly labored in his newly adopted place, however catastrophe would quickly rock his United profession.

In February 2006, throughout United’s 1-0 defeat in opposition to Liverpool within the FA Cup at Anfield, Smith suffered a double leg break and a dislocated ankle when making an attempt to dam a free-kick from John Arne Riise.

Sir Alex Ferguson described the damage as “one of many worst” he had ever seen.

“It was unusual actually, your physique simply goes into shock, you’re not likely desirous about the long run,” Smith stated final 12 months when describing the damage.

“My largest concern was I assumed I used to be going to lose my foot.

“It was all a blur. I used to be within the ambulance going to the hospital, and the physician stated to our membership physician we have to get blood circulate to his foot. I assumed I may have gone from being knowledgeable footballer at some point to having no foot the subsequent.”

The damage was horrendous. Smith suffered breaks to his tibia and fibula, nevertheless it was the ankle that was left in an unnatural place.

“I used to be fortunate the bone did not come out of the pores and skin,” Smith stated.

“The dislocation of the ankle was the worst. We needed to get a hand surgeon to do the surgical procedure on my ankle as a result of there are such a lot of problems getting it again in place.”

United paid tribute to Smith of their 4-0 League Cup overcome Wigan, accumulating the trophy carrying t-shirts printed with the phrases “For you Smudge.”

Getting back from such a horrific damage was by no means going to be straightforward, and Smith has later revealed he “ended up with in all probability sixty p.c of motion” in his ankle.

After grueling rehab, Smith returned to coaching an unimaginable six months later, three months forward of what was predicted.

“For me, getting again to some kind of stage was a giant factor,” Smith stated.

With the departure of Van Nistelrooy to Actual Madrid, Smith had the right alternative to relaunch his United profession in assault – sadly, his physique wouldn’t permit it.

“I got here again on a excessive, taking part in in opposition to Roma within the Champions League, and also you’re getting by on adrenaline,” Smith defined.

“Initially it’s alright, however you then begin to realise. Once you’re going residence you simply know this is not the way you have been earlier than.

“Every part is a lot tougher to do, even the straightforward stuff. I couldn’t actually strike the ball with my left foot, there was no energy, no confidence.

“There’s that horrible realisation. If you happen to’re one p.c off it at United, you’re in all probability gone. If you happen to’re fifteen p.c off it, which I used to be, you’re in a distinct world.

“It turns into such a tough dialog. I knew I needed to depart.”

United’s quarter-final recreation in opposition to Roma in April 2007 was Smith’s first full 90 minutes of all the season, having beforehand been concerned sparingly after struggling for health.

His aim on that event was his first for United since November 2005 and, whether or not fueled by adrenaline or not, it was a becoming reward for a participant that had encountered such misfortune.

The Reds would shortly be topped Premier League champions after that fixture.

Regardless of making 9 appearances within the league, falling one look quick wanted to qualify for a winner’s medal, particular dispensation was granted for Smith to obtain the accolade.

Though Smith’s United profession was hampered with a horrific damage, the United trustworthy constructed an important relationship with the previous Leeds man over his three years on the membership.

“We talk about ardour, I feel depth is a good phrase for what followers wish to see,” Smith stated, reflecting on his time at United.

“Charging down the defenders, tackling from the entrance, that effort, it endears you to followers as a result of typically they do not count on.

“I feel taking part in for United, the calls for have been very related at Leeds. The followers wish to see you run by way of a brick wall for them.”

Smith receiving a Premier League winner’s medal – after giving all the pieces for that United shirt – appeared a good reward for a person who as soon as dared to cross enemy strains.