as a striker, believe it or not i prefer smith..like u mentioned, the sheer effort...i think his goal against fulham reflects wat he brings to uniteds game:
he didnt have the ball, crowded penalty box, crunches some guy with a 2 footed challenge that if wasnt spot on could have seen him red carded, and then a good finish to produce a goal... the way he mangles people is terrific, he is more than just a good player.. i like hard bastards who know when to keep their cool, rooneys yet to learn that
and good point, i think rooney is more of amidfielder..he should be developed into scholes role