He told MUTV: “It’s always been my aim to get back to the Alan Smith I was before my injury and the gaffer has been brilliant by giving me time to do that.
“I think I would have been forced back into action early at other clubs and made to suffer in front of everyone who would be expecting my performances to be up to previous standards.
“It’s been refreshing to be given time and the Boro game was a great occasion for me. It’s what I’ve been working towards.”
