Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson reckons Alan Smith could be back in action within six or seven months.

The England international broke his leg, dislocated his ankle and damaged ligaments during United’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool last weekend.

At the time, Ferguson described Smith’s injury as one of the worst he had ever witnessed. However, it appears talk of Smith’s career being in jeopardy is wide of the mark.

Ferguson said the operation to reset Smith’s leg was a success and he could be back in action by the beginning of September.

"There is no doubt Alan will be back," said the United boss. "It may take a bit longer than a normal break because of the complications with his ankle joint but he should be back within six or seven months.

"The treatment so far and the operation has been very successful and we can be positive about the future.

"It was a terrible injury but there are a lot of things in Alan’s favour, particularly his courage and his age."

Ferguson went to see Smith in hospital on Monday and was amazed how well the £6 million former Leeds man was dealing with the situation.

Not only has the injury ruled him out of the remainder of United’s campaign, it has also wrecked any hope Smith had of making England’s World Cup squad.

Yet Ferguson found the player in a relaxed frame of mind.

"It is amazing to see the way Alan has handled it," he said. "I went to see him on Monday and he was so philosophical about things. He just said ‘that is football’.

"It is a very commendable attitude to have but people with character are like that and it will give him a better chance of recovery than a normal person."

PA