SMITH RETURN AT RIGHT TIME

"The manager has been brilliant really," he said.

"In the two Carling Cup games, I was miles off what Alan Smith was before the injury.

"He has given me time. At other clubs, I might have been forced back early and made to suffer in front of everyone, who would have expected my performances to be up to standard."

Meanwhile, Ferguson was quick to protect Cristiano Ronaldo after the winger again came under the microscope after the Boro game.