Alan Smith has opened up on why he believes Manchester United and Leeds United are more alike than fans of the two clubs would admit.
Smith sightings at Leeds United games have been few and far between since his controversial 2004 transfer to United.
Following his move to Old Trafford many fans labelled him a 'Judas' for making the move across the Pennines to the Whites’ fierce rivals.
Leeds-born Smith famously once went on the record to say he would never play for Manchester United, but with Leeds staring down the barrel of the gun financially, the deal was done.
But when asked on the United podcast about the move, Smith believes the similarities between the Lancashire and Yorkshire nemeses made it easier for him to adapt to life at Old Trafford.
“You know the passion that both clubs have got and that’s why I loved playing for both clubs,” he said. “Just because they are very, very similar.
“Leeds fans don’t like me for saying it, but the characteristics of both clubs are very, very similar in terms of the beliefs, the history of the clubs, the people who are involved in it, the styles.
“The passion of the fans is very, very similar. I think that’s why it made my transition quite easy in that first year.
“And you’re surrounded by world-class players, which makes it a little bit easier as well.”
Before Smith continued on his famous transfer to Old Trafford: “I was a kid when Eric [Cantona] went to Man United and I was probably one of those throwing stones at the team bus when he came!
“No, I don’t think I did that, but you understand what I mean. I was there as a player when Rio [Ferdinand] left and I think it was a bit different for me, because I was one of their own players, if you put it in that way.
“I’d been there from 10-years-old, so it was big for them that I chose the destination that I did.
"But as I look at it, they should be proud of one of their own young players going on to whatever destination it was, in terms of the calibre you go to.
“That should not be forgotten because it’s a Leeds-Man United rivalry. I think, like you said, it didn’t really bother me because it was a decision I made purely based on the good of Leeds financially and myself footballing-wise.”
