Smith stumbles on fitness trail

Cup tie target
However, United are confident the 24-year-old should be fit for the UEFA Champions League tie at home against AC Milan on 23 February. Smith has not played for three weeks and will not feature before 19 February at the earliest - the date of United's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Everton FC.

'A little setback'
The Old Trafford club's next match after that is the first leg of the Champions League first knockout round encounter with Milan. "Alan Smith has had a little setback," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "I think we rushed him back too quickly. It is one of these unfortunate things. But I am sure he will be ready within two weeks."

Stadium expansion
Meanwhile, United have received approval from Trafford Council for the expansion of Old Trafford to a 76,000-seater stadium. The decision last night gives United the green light to fill in the northeast and northwest corners of the stadium, thus increasing the capacity by some 9,000 seats. The work should be completed by the start of the 2006/07 season.