A group of Leeds United supporters have been discussing a recent article by The Athletic’s Phil Hay. The piece looks back at Alan Smith’s transfer to Manchester United in 2004, whether it had to happen and if the player deserved to be vilified in the way he was by the Elland Road faithful.
Smith joined Leeds’ bitter rivals in a £7m deal, which also saw Danny Pugh move in the opposite direction (as per BBC Sport). The player’s move proved to be controversial given he had previously said he would never play for Manchester United and had previously marketed himself as ‘Mr Leeds United’ (as per Leeds Live).
Here is what some of the fans have had to say following Hay’s piece.
I’m sure like many other people of a similar age to myself he was my hero growing up. Experienced my first heartbreak over this ?
— Ben (@Ben_Spencer_x) May 13, 2020
Why did you do this ??
— PokemonDaddy (@nobodywhouknow1) May 13, 2020
He broke my heart ?
— Zoe (@zoebarker99) May 13, 2020
Too soon, Phil.
— Gregg Irwin (@greggleeds) May 13, 2020
Have you forgiven Alan Smith for joining Manchester United?
Yes
No
Deserved all he got then and now !
— sean maleham (@MalehamSean) May 13, 2020
He’s a rat, don’t want him anywhere near the club and he’s thick as two short planks given what he says about it all
— Steve Norton (@snorton82) May 13, 2020
What do we think?
It’s clear from the above responses that despite almost 16 years having passed since Smith swapped Elland Road for Old Trafford, many fans are still not over it and can’t bring themselves to read about the subject. The now 39-year-old went on to play for Newcastle United, MK Dons and Notts County before retiring in July 2018 (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).