farewell smudge

you may not have always been first choice, nor were you the best player around. but you definitely left your mark on all of us united fans. like diego forlan before you, you were always fighting, never giving up. your grit and determination to try and fit shoes that will probably be impossible to ever fill again firmly made you a favourite son at the theatre of dreams. we sorely missed that never-say-die attitude and ferocious tackling when you broke your foot, but we will never, ever forget that magical european night when you were instrumental in dismantling a strong as roma team and making them look like a bunch of sunday league footy-in-the-park players. or those wonder-volleys against arsenal and norwich which were simply breathtaking to behold.

good luck smithy. we hope you get back to your snarling best in the toon. all the best.