Alan Smith claims he wants to stay with United and spare the club another dip into the summer transfer market.

The firebrand forward, signed from Leeds in 2004, has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs all summer, while United have supposedly eyed a host of potential new strikers.

However, The Sun quotes Smith as saying: "I don't want to leave. We need forwards and I want to have a proper go this season."

Everton are the latest club to be linked with a move for Smith, who has also allegedly caught the eye of Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Portsmouth.

Smith admitted last month that he was unsure of Sir Alex Ferguson's plans for him, and the issue is likely to be towards the top of the Manager's agenda when his squad returns to pre-season training on Wednesday.