Smith sent packing following cup exit...

Following the embarrassing but thoroughly deserved defeat by Southend in the Carling Cup, Fergie said there'd be 'no mass sackings', but then he contradicted himself somewhat by saying 'there might be a few recriminations'. Hey presto, today Fergie has announced that Alan Smith is being sent on loan to Championship side Cardiff City who are promotion hopefuls. Smith will be linking up with another former Leeds United 'die-hard' Peter Ridsdale, who is the former Whites chairman and the man many believe is responsible for much of the Yorkshire clubs current problems.

On making the announcement Fergie made it clear that the Carling Cup defeat was at the heart of the reason for allowing Smith to leave on loan, the United manager says a short term loan deal and games for Smith will be ideal.

Following that midweek defeat I wrote that Smith needing turfing out of Old Trafford ASAP, but even I didn't expect it to happen three days later. Reading between the lines I honestly feel Smith had got wind of this move and perhaps he wasn't that impressed because putting it midly he was appalling against Southend, there was more or less zero effort.

However, what many in the media will be asking now is what happens if Saha gets injured? United have shipped off Rossi and now Smith, and Ole is injured. You might have at least expected United to wait until the January transfer window when then could try to bring in some quality cover for Saha, but no, he's sent off to Cardiff post haste. It actually smacks of interference from the Glazer family who will no doubt be keen to reduce the wage bill further. The signs are things aren't well at all at United concerning financial matters, perhaps the meltdown many have feared isnt that far off, with this news coming on the back of those two directors handing in their notices recently.

As for Smith, he came to United to win trophies and to get back into the England set-up - he has failed really on both counts. The fact is he was never good enough to play for United, he's a very average player who plays more with his heart than his head. Fergie bought him because he thought he was 'value' but he wasn't. United will be lucky to recoup half of the £7m they shelled out for him, when he is sold it will for an undisclosed fee, thus saving United's embarrassment on another shocking piece of transfer business. I'm not ruling out Smith coming back to United, but I'd put money on a permanent move in the not too distant future for Smith.

Fergie, if you read this blog, please get rid of Richardson too.