Smith's high hopes for United

Manchester United striker Alan Smith has set his team-mates the challenge of remaining unbeaten until the end of the season.

The Red Devils have not lost in the Premiership since the defeat at Portsmouth in October, a setback they avenged with a 2-1 triumph at Old Trafford on Saturday, their 17th league outing without defeat.

It brought them to within six points of Premiership leaders Chelsea, a gap that will reduce to three if United continue their winning run on Saturday against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Though Sir Alex Ferguson and his team are hoping the extra pressure will force Chelsea to crack later that day, Smith knows the Londoners remain favourites to land their first league title since 1955.

And that is why the abrasive Leeds-born forward is calling on United to maintain their own outstanding form to ensure they have a chance of snatching the title in May.

"The run we are on at the moment is a credit to everyone at the club," Smith told MUTV on Monday.

"Even if we do not win the title, if we can remain unbeaten until the end of the season, we can look back and say in other years we would have won it.

"We will try to push on at Crystal Palace on Saturday because you never know what could happen. We still have a chance and as long as that situation exists we will keep battling to the very end."

Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United are within six points of Premiership leaders Chelsea

After playing a part in the first 22 matches of United's Premiership campaign, Smith has been on the sidelines over the past six weeks after picking up a knee ligament injury during a one-minute substitute appearance in the Carling Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

He was introduced at half-time against Portsmouth at the weekend though, offering the 24-year-old a perfect view of Wayne Rooney's brilliant late winner.

Like Smith when he switched from Leeds, Rooney was condemned by supporters of his home-town club when he quit Everton for Old Trafford.

But England's teenage striker is now proving exactly why Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to the 27 million dollar deal.

Rooney has now scored 15 times this term, including eight in his last 13 games. Smith is suitably impressed.

"People forget he was injured for a while and didn't have a proper pre-season,'' said Smith, who last found the net against Palace in December, his ninth goal of the campaign.

"He is an even better player when you see him at close quarters. Whether he is playing from the start or comes on as a substitute, he can give us that bit of magic or a lift when we need it.

"Wayne came here to play on the biggest stage and wants to be a major part of it. It is no good just coming here and wanting to win things, you must want to be an essential part of winning things. That can make all the difference."

Ironically, Smith may profit from Ferguson's possible desire to rest Rooney ahead of Tuesday's make-or-break Champions League against AC Milan.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has already been confirmed as a certain starter at Selhurst Park.

Ferguson may be unwilling to risk Rooney just three days before the meeting at the San Siro which will end United's European campaign for another season unless they can overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to the Serie A leaders.