MANCHESTER (AFP) - Manchester United striker Alan Smith has promised an improved performance from the club's expensive but goal-shy forwards when Sparta Prague arrive at Old Trafford for Wednesday's Champions League clash.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has assembled a 60 million pounds (100 million dollars) roster of forwards including Smith, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.
But despite that quartet, Saturday's 2-0 Premier League defeat away to Portsmouth was the fourth time in 11 league matches this season that United had failed to score.
That defeat came just a week after United ended English champions and leaders Arsenal's 49-game English top-flight unbeaten run with a 2-0 win in a fiery match at Old Trafford.
Just as they did against Portsmouth, United's forwards also fired blanks during a goalless Group D draw against Sparta in Prague in October.
But Smith insisted the variety of attacking options at United's disposal meant the goal drought was unlikely to last for long.
"I think we have a good blend," the former Leeds striker told United's website, www.manutd.com
"Ruud's goalscoring record speaks for itself - everybody knows what he is about," Smith added.
"Wayne can drop in and play behind one or two strikers, while Louis has got fantastic pace, is great in the air and has an unbelievable left foot.
"I can hold the ball up and bring other people into play, and my finishing is all right. The main thing is we are all different."
United are set to welcome back van Nistelrooy on Wednesday after the Dutchman missed the Portsmouth game because of a ban for his foul on Arsenal's Ashley Cole at Old Trafford.
But that three-match ban, which van Nistelrooy wil complete by missing Sunday's derby against Manchester City, applies to domestic games only.
The former PSV front-man is set to take Smith's place against Sparta where victory will all but guarantee United - who have five points from their opening three Group games - a place in the last 16.
Although van Nistelrooy has scored just twice, both times from the penalty spot, in the Premiership this season, his European record since arriving at Old Trafford for 18.5 million pounds in 1992 is outstanding with 31 goals in 35 appearances.
Sparta, who lost both their opening Group games, came close to celebrating a famous win against United last month with only the woodwork, some poor refereeing and goalkeeper Roy Carroll denying them victory.
But for that match United were without England centre-back Rio Ferdinand and club captain Roy Keane, and both should be available on Wednesday.
Prague boss Frantisek Straka has admitted his side are realistically playing for third place and a spot in the UEFA Cup after Christmas.
However, that will not do for Ferguson who is desperate to see United repeat their 1999 success - the only time in his 16-year-old reign at Old Trafford that his team have won European club football's biggest prize.
An angry Ferguson has been publicly demanding the FA take action against Arsenal duo Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp for their roles in the 'Battle of Old Trafford' but whether the experienced Scot has taken his eye off the European ball remains to be seen.
11/03/2004 - 12:22 GMT - AFP