Manchester United have been urged to tell Alan Smith whether or not he has a
future at the club.
The England striker yesterday admitted he will 'consider his options' unless
he is given assurances over his his role at the Barclays Premier League
champions.
And his agent Alex Black wants United to clarify his client's position as soon
as possible.
'I think if you're definitely not wanted, you need to be told that,' Black
said on BBC Radio Five Live.
The 26-year-old former Leeds frontman made a good return to first-team action
towards the end of last season after severe injury problems.
His form also saw him recalled to the England fold, but Smith is concerned he
may be restricted to a bit-part role with the champions next season.
Black revealed Smith has been concerned about his future ever since United
chose not to exercise a clause in his contract, which would have seen it
extended by another year to 2010.
'Obviously, you're going to have some question marks in your head as to where
that leaves you,' said Black, adding that Smith is not looking for a guarantee
of first-team football.
'Nobody would expect that at a club like Manchester United,' he said.
Unless United make the first move, Smith is set to remain in limbo until the
start of pre-season training.
'Alan's gone away on holiday for a few weeks and these are the sort of
conversations that probably need to take place face to face,' Black said.
'I'm sure him and Sir Alex will have a chat at the start of pre-season.
'The only conversation so far that's taken place has been between myself and
David Gill, the chief executive, and that was brought up regarding the
re-negotiation clause.'
Asked whether he and Smith would actively look for another club, Black said:
'It's not really for us to look at other clubs.
'Our opinion is he hasn't been offered a new contract but he's still got two
years left at arguably the biggest football club in the world.
'He has the confidence in himself to stay and fight.'
Meanwhile, Louis Saha's representatives have insisted the striker will be fit
for the start of the new season, denying reports from his former agent that he
will be out until November or December.
The 28-year-old France international, who has been linked with a move away
from Old Trafford this summer, has been represented by the Stellar Group since
December 2006.
They insist he has had knee surgery in the United States and should now be fit
by mid-August, and have rubbished claims by Ranko Stojic that the player would
not return until the back end of the year.
Stojic, who was involved in Saha's £12.8million move to United from Fulham in
January 2004, told the Manchester Evening News: 'Louis has had surgery in
America and he won't be on the field now for a few months.
'I don't know when he will be able to start training again but he is looking
at being back around November or December. But it is going to be a while.'
Stojic also added: 'There is no question that he will be changing clubs. He
has been unlucky and it is very important now that he gets back to 100%.'
But Stellar insist Stojic now has 'absolutely no ties' to Saha or any
authority to speak on the player's behalf.
