Leeds United hero slams reaction to two Manchester United transfers in 2000s

Former Leeds United defender Ian Harte has questioned fans' hatred of Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith.

Both Premier League stars swapped Elland Road for Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, a controversial move across from West Yorkshire to Lancashire. They weren't the first to make the switch after the likes of Eric Cantona did it in the 1990s.

Leeds enjoyed success in the early 2000s, going on a Champions League run that came to an end in the semi-final in 2001. Soon after their fortunes soon evaporated and finances problems struck. So although Ferdinand and Smith came under scrutiny for leaving Leeds in that period, they were vindicated as they went on to lift the English top-flight under Ferguson at United.

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At the time, the defensive stalwart's transfer to United broke the British transfer record in 2002 with Smith following his former Leeds teammate in moving to Old Trafford two years later. Now, former Republic of Ireland international Harte has spoken on the reaction from the Elland Road fans.

"I never really understood the hatred from some fans," he said via the Daily Star. "Of course, you have Yorkshire and Lancashire, but Rio was only there for a season, joined for £18million and then moved to Manchester United for £30m.

"Smithy was there from the academy so that one was harder to take. He came through with us.

"But in football now there's no loyalty, they went on and won lots of trophies and medals and that's the nature of it now. It's a business at the end of the day so matter who you are, if the right offer comes in the club will sell you."

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