Smith delighted with successful Man Utd comeback
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Manchester United striker Alan Smith has made his first competitive appearance since suffering a serious leg injury in February.
Smith featured for 66 minutes of United's 7-2 Lancashire Senior Cup win over Preston at Deepdale.
He did not find the net but played in his usual bustling style.
The 25-year-old broke his leg and dislocated an ankle during the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool and was expected to be out for the rest of the year.
Smith declared himself satisfied with his performance, saying: "I have worked hard for that all through the summer.
"That is what my goal has been. Playing for the reserves is a step up from training and hopefully, in a few weeks time I will have had some more reserve games and be able to make the step up to the first team.
"The first half I felt okay but I started to get a bit tired 15 minutes into the second half, which is why I came off.
"I just need a few matches under my belt, although I think I could have played all night and not scored.
"But my movement was okay and I just need to build up my strength a little bit."
With no replacement in sight for the departed Ruud van Nistelrooy, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already declared his intention to use Smith as an orthodox striker this season, rather than in midfield as in the past.
Smith did have the occasional glimpse of goal, with his best effort coming when he tested Preston keeper Andy Lonergan with an early curling effort.
But he wasted two chances, screwing a shot wide after being set up by Liam Miller and then firing wide with a mis-hit volley just after half-time.
It was still a comfortable enough return for the former Leeds forward, which ended when he was replaced by Sean Evans midway through the second half.
Giuseppe Rossi and Phil Marsh both scored twice for United and Chris Eagles, Danny Rose and David Jones were also on target for the Red Devils.
Smith featured for 66 minutes of United's 7-2 Lancashire Senior Cup win over Preston at Deepdale.
He did not find the net but played in his usual bustling style.
The 25-year-old broke his leg and dislocated an ankle during the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool and was expected to be out for the rest of the year.
Smith declared himself satisfied with his performance, saying: "I have worked hard for that all through the summer.
"That is what my goal has been. Playing for the reserves is a step up from training and hopefully, in a few weeks time I will have had some more reserve games and be able to make the step up to the first team.
"The first half I felt okay but I started to get a bit tired 15 minutes into the second half, which is why I came off.
"I just need a few matches under my belt, although I think I could have played all night and not scored.
"But my movement was okay and I just need to build up my strength a little bit."
With no replacement in sight for the departed Ruud van Nistelrooy, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already declared his intention to use Smith as an orthodox striker this season, rather than in midfield as in the past.
Smith did have the occasional glimpse of goal, with his best effort coming when he tested Preston keeper Andy Lonergan with an early curling effort.
But he wasted two chances, screwing a shot wide after being set up by Liam Miller and then firing wide with a mis-hit volley just after half-time.
It was still a comfortable enough return for the former Leeds forward, which ended when he was replaced by Sean Evans midway through the second half.
Giuseppe Rossi and Phil Marsh both scored twice for United and Chris Eagles, Danny Rose and David Jones were also on target for the Red Devils.
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