Saha aiming to grab chance at United
Major knee problems and a catalogue of muscle injuries mean Saha was starting only his 67th game in nearly three years with the Old Trafford outfit in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Roma.
When he has been fit, the 28-year-old has usually been an effective performer with a scoring return of a goal in every two-and-a-half games.
So, with United struggling for goals and doubts persisting over the ability of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez to form an effective partnership, Alex Ferguson needs the former Fulham man like never before.
“I hope I will be starting more games,” he said.
“My fitness is getting better with every match, I am working hard and I have just been waiting for my chance.
“It is very hard when you are trying to get your confidence back and then you get another injury.
“You have to try and build yourself back up and in the end it becomes as much a mental battle as a physical one.
“But I do feel I have enough strength in both areas to get my form back again and I am not worried about it.”
Prior to Tuesday, Saha had not been part of Ferguson’s starting line-up since February, a telling statistic in itself.
However, the United boss has already acknowledged the Frenchman’s direct style offers him an option his other strikers cannot provide.
Not that Saha is running away with the idea he is indispensable.
The Red Devils may have scored just nine times in 11 outings this term but the £12million (€17.3m) hit-man believes a goal glut is just around the corner, which is bad news for Saturday’s opponents Wigan.
And, Latics boss Chris Hutchings should not breathe a sigh of relief if Saha does not find his name among Ferguson’s first 11 at the weekend either.
“I don’t think what people are saying about Wayne and Carlos not being able to play together is true,” he said.
“They were scoring when I wasn’t in the side, so it cannot be the case.
“But it is always good to variety. So if my type of game is needed and I can help, that is nice.”
After a sticky start to the campaign, United, the shock Carling Cup defeat to Coventry apart, have started to gain momentum.
Four points from the forthcoming Champions League double-header with Dynamo Kiev should see them into the knock-out phase with two games to spare while a sixth straight win over Wigan will take Ferguson’s team joint top of the league with Arsenal for 24 hours at least.
Injuries may still be a concern, especially now Owen Hargreaves is out for a month and yesterday’s news that Michael Carrick will be out for up to six weeks with a fractured right elbow.
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