Saha title fever fuels quick comeback

STUART Mathieson

March 13, 2007

LOUIS SAHA: Striker is fighting a hamstring strain

LOUIS Saha's quest for the Premiership title will resume against Blackburn Rovers at the end of the month.

The French striker pulled up on United's training ground last week before the Lille match with a hamstring injury.

But with FA Cup matches and an international break around the corner, he is set to miss just the Bolton game this weekend in the race for the title.

Saha admits that owning a championship medal is driving him on, having signed for the Reds in January 2004 the season after United's last title success.

"Winning the Premiership is my obsession," Saha told Zoo magazine.

"The trophy, with that little crown on top, is magnificent. I want to win the league, and I want to beat Chelsea, with good football.

Value

"A title would have more value this year, because the Blues have set very high standards."

Saha's injury misery appeared to have lifted in the first half of the campaign but his nightmare has returned with the hamstring problem and some niggles in January.

But the Parisian knows he has Sir Alex Ferguson's backing.

"Sir Alex has brought a lot to my game and has always protected me," he adds.

"One day, after yet another injury, I went to see him in his office and I was feeling really down.

"I asked him to let me play for the reserves and he looked me in the eyes and said, `No way. Don't worry, you'll be back. I'm counting on you.' I will never forget those words.

"He is a monument. He's built the club in such a way that we've become a winning machine.

"He preaches football focused on attack, and his team talk before every game is very simple: `Enjoy the game.'"

How highly do you rate Saha? Have your say.

Read the full interview in Zoo magazine, out now.

| Submit Comments | Comments (26) |

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TMUF, Manchester (13/03/2007 at 11:08)

I feel Saha still has a major contribution before the end of the season. I have always rated him highly and its unfortunate he hasnt overcome his injury jinx. Hopefully he will be injury free the rest of the season and maybe come next season, he could break the curse!

Essex Prawn, Billerciay (13/03/2007 at 11:17)

Saha gives our forward line pace. He's clearly a 'confodence' player and when it's going well he's very effective.

Liam, Manchester (13/03/2007 at 11:25)

Saha is one of those players that frustrates me both with his inconsistencies and injuries but the simple fact is that he has more than enough ability to be a top striker and I think we should stick with him now if he is fit for the run in because he can sometimes create a goal from nothing like against Chelsea.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (13/03/2007 at 11:59)

I rate saha highly,but due to his constant injuries we need more cover for him, we dont seem to have a constant strike pairing like we always used too which stops link up play along the lines of yorke/cole and viduka/yakubu, more reinforcements in the summer we hope, as saha is probably the only striker on the books who get 20 league goals for us

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (13/03/2007 at 12:01)

Saha's a top top footballer. He's strong, has great ability and plays sexy football in the way only united can. Lets hope he stays free of any further injuries, because he brings so much to this team. Having him back hopefully for the blackburn game will be crucial, and not just because we are light on fit strikers, but because he helps make this team tick. Ever since he took Ruuds place in the team during the second part of last season, the tempo and style of our football changed dramatically. And that was even before scholes came back into the team. A saha on form and playing regularly will see us wrap up the title before we have to visit chelsea.

Birdy, Ireland (13/03/2007 at 12:07)

I thin k we've missed Saha in recent wks. He was a great option for us before Christmas when he was flying, and he really added a new dynamic to how we were playing. The problem will be now getting him fit and back on form in time for the crunch games. We'll need him back in the goals if we're to stay on top in the league

Demo, Glossop (13/03/2007 at 12:16)

I have critised saha because his injuries frustrate me. But when he has got confidence his speed and movement bring us an extra strength going forward and he has been a major contributor to our attacking play first half of season! My only concern is his inability to score one on ones with the keeper which may cost us importantly when it is only chance against tough opposition!

Keane was right Sell Ronny (13/03/2007 at 12:38)

Light, fast strikers are always prone to injuries (take Henry for example), but this was all the more reason why United should have kept Rossi as back-up. Bolton, Middlesborough and Blackburn next all without him. All games we could seriously suffer in. He's been a real asset though and his words here demonstrate his allegance to SAF...cleaver! such words will pay dividends.

Mick, Dublin (13/03/2007 at 13:09)

We've definitely missed Saha in the last few weeks. And when you think about what a classy player we had to replace him, in Henke Larsson, that says everything about how much Saha brings to the team. I just hope he isn't rushed back from this latest injury. Now we've got Scholes back for the Blackburn game I'd like to think we can cope without Saha, especially if that's what it takes to make sure he's 100% for the run-in. A recuurence of his injured hammie would be a disaster for the team and a big blow to his confidence.

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (13/03/2007 at 13:19)

Legend! Sir Alex Ferguson, I mean.. Man management at its best.. I really really cannot see a United team without him as the gaffer.. I'll rue the day he leaves..

Reds4Ever, West Yorkshire (13/03/2007 at 13:39)

Put quit simply, we played our best football earlier in the season with a fully fit Saha. He is class at holding the ball up, his link play is second to none and he has genuine pace. I rate him and I think we are a far better team with him up front.

bobbydazzler (13/03/2007 at 13:50)

when fit the lad is a top top striker and his abscence in the last few months has had a lot to do with our drop off in form

Macca, Cornwall (13/03/2007 at 14:20)

he does add a lot of pace and fluency to the team, but i get so frustrated with his inability to score 1 on 1s. in the very top games in the latter stages of champs league, he may only get 1 or 2 chances like this, and with saha i always feel there is a greater chance of him missing than scoring. we need him in the team til the end of the season for sure, but in the summer i would definatly look for a striker who will bag us 25 goals a season without the injury proneness and consistency. id definatly keep him however, as he has always been a trustworthy squad player.

Joe, Malta (13/03/2007 at 14:45)

This man is class - all the posters here seem to acknowledge his talents. He has his drawbacks too - his decision-making at times and of course he s a "bit" injury prone. However he is the perfect link to Rooney and Ronaldo. As both of them are more or less "prima donnas" (I m being a bit harsh on Rooney here), I cannot imagine yet another prima donna alongside them (like for eg RVN). That's why I think Saha is the ideal partner for them because he s someone ready to sacrifice himself for the benefit of the team and considering his talents he is a low-profile member of the team. For the same reason I would stay away from yet another "prima donna" like Torres.

Mark - Stretford Ender (13/03/2007 at 14:50)

Have to agree with Majority on this one Saha is top class when fully fit, lets just hope he gets back on track because i feel he's got a huge part play.

karma2007, rochdale,greater manchester (13/03/2007 at 15:14)

i hope louis is back and soon you see if you dont play him he wont get back to the full potential,thats playing larsson and not giving louis the games he needed.
Its like owning a race horse if you dont race it then it wont get better.

saha rocks, work (13/03/2007 at 15:53)

my nickname says it all!

Mukena Shalala (13/03/2007 at 16:09)

Ths is now the time for Alan Smith to shine. Let's hope he can play 2nite against the Europe XI. The only problem is Materazzi, that guys whether it's a friendly or final, he is always rough. UP the Reds!! Manchester United Rules.

Balders, Halifax (13/03/2007 at 16:24)

FOR ONCE, NEARLY EVERYONE IS IN AGREEMENT !! To those who say we need another 25 goal a season man though..... under which rocking horse will we find him !? IMO, i don't think torres will have enough physical stature to survive in the PL & would cost big bucks. I'd like to see us take a bit of a gamble on say Huntelaar (dutch do well in PL) or Quaresma (would get on well with Ron). They wouldn't (hopefully) cost the world and the 'saved' dosh could buy the squad some extra quality in CM (eg.Gamst & Sidwell 4 free ! ) plus maybe right back cover ?

chris, oxford (13/03/2007 at 17:03)

Definitely with you on Huntelaar and Quaresma Balders, I would like to see another top striker at the club because Saha, no matter what people say is injury prone and can be inconsistent, so having somebody else around to keep the pressure on has to be good for everybody. Save the money wasted on Hargreaves and take a gamble on the likes of Sidwell because after all, don't we already have the quality in midfield thus negating the need for Hargreaves? ;-)

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (13/03/2007 at 17:04)

balders, agree with your point on whether we really need to go and find a striker who will score 25 goals a season. Even if we did find one, the arrival of another big name striker would most likely push Saha out of the door. He's too good to be a squad player now, and we would sorely miss him if he left. If we do get another striker, he will have to be ready to warm the bench and be cover for saha, at least in the short term. Torress wouldn't be prepared to do that, so another unknown talent like when we found Ole would be great as i'd rather see the money invested in other areas as some have already suggested on here.

Alias Smith, over the moon (13/03/2007 at 17:09)

It seems strange that Henke's presence in the team seems to have made fans more appreciative of Louis but that can only be a good thing. For me, his only negative point is his injury jinx - if he could crack that he would be a top, top player. Actually, that PLUS his tendency to panic a bit in one-on-ones with the keeper....

de Meester, netherlands (13/03/2007 at 18:29)

Please, PLEASE Louis don't come back too soon!
A ha,mstring starin is likely to go again if so! (Ask Giggsy!). Rather that you come back a week or so later. I mean come on they take 4 wks minimum!!
The run-in is improtant and rather than you fall down again be once and for all 100 p.c!

de Meester, netherlands (13/03/2007 at 18:42)

Sahaaaaaa is the man!
He's stunbled a bit now stuck on 10-11 goals, but when we play our better football it's with Louis at the front edge!
A few are showing interest in Huntelaar. The lad is good, has now a total 0f 26,but has been in a dip lately(not bad!) & ten Cate has been frustrated at his lack of edge!
I would like Quaresma also, (a pity thr rentboys want him too!!) - I think he was a target 3-4 years ago before he went to barça!
(That lad has some tricks also), don't know if we could/ should accomodate two of that type!
I would still try for Bent in the summer!
Allez Louis

Paul, Manchester (13/03/2007 at 19:19)

Why not get the other Ronaldo for free at the end of the season?

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