Smith reveals other offers

Alan Smith has revealed the other clubs who tried to lure him from Leeds.

Manchester United striker Alan Smith has revealed the clubs he rebuffed in order to make his controversial transfer across the Pennines.

The former Leeds United idol, unluckily relegated to the substitutes' bench for the last two United matches, entered the fray late in the proceedings on Monday and helped Sir Alex Ferguson's men hold onto a 2-1 lead over Liverpool.

In a candid interview with fanzine Red Issue, Smith admits there was plenty of interest in his services following Leeds' relegation from The Premiership.

One of the approaches came from the team United defeated at Old Trafford - Liverpool.

"A couple of clubs abroad were interested," he stated. "But I wasn't ready for that sort of move.

"Liverpool, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Glasgow Rangers as well, but they were irrelevant to me.

"I wanted to come here."

Smith also accepts Ferguson's squad rotation policy, even though Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha's return to fitness will only increase the competition for places in attack.

"I think you have to realise when you come here that you are not going to play in every game," he insisted.

"We need four good strikers and I think we've got that and a good variation of different styles between us as well.

"I think we'll all be needed."