The latest on that supposed Manchester United offer of Alan Smith and £4m for Michael Owen. The Mancs have yet to sign the striker Sir Alex Ferguson has as his "number one priority" and Smith sees that as a good sign.

"No news is good news" as far as Smith is concerned, but personally I think the ex-Leeds striker is grasping staws. He is on his way out of Old Trafford, and he may as well wise up to the fact.

Smith is still hanging onto the hope that Ferguson's failure to land a goal machine this summer could prolong his stay at Old Trafford.