SIR Alex Ferguson expects to see the best of Louis Saha after the Frenchman’s Boxing Day double.
Saha scored in either half against Sunderland – suggesting a wretched year for the striker will end on a positive note.
His first goal – to put Manchester United 2-0 up against Roy Keane’s side – showed he still has his eye for goal. And Ferguson was delighted to see him return to form after a series of injuries in 2007.
“Saha was absolutely brilliant,” said Fergie. “It will do his confidence the world of good and he has completed the game with no problems at all.”
On a day that saw United move to the top of the Premier League, Fergie received more festive cheer with Park Ji-Sung also returning from injury.
“This is one of our strongest squads and they are all playing a part,” said the Reds boss. “Gerard Pique came on for Nemanja Vidic and was excellent and I am delighted that Ji-Sung came on for the first time since last March and did well.
“I rested some players and took off Vidic and Ronaldo. It is very important in terms of getting everyone ready for the games ahead.
“I don't have a selection problem. It's just common sense. I managed to get Ronaldo rested, which is fantastic and Anderson and Carlos Tevez also got a break, which was important because they played in the Copa America in the summer and needed a rest.”
Fergie's delight over Saha
December 27, 2007
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It's all comming together for us now. We are getting more and more players back while other teams are loosing players and points. Plus Flamini at Arsenal Terry,Carvalho,Lampard,Essien at Chelsea and Carragher at the dippers are all one yellow card away from a suspension! We are going to look so strong over the next 6-8 weeks. Foster,Neville and Scholes should be back then too! We have a great chance to win the league again and our best chance to win in Europe in almost a decade.
Crikey, the strength of the squad with everybody fit is nothing short of phenomenal. I reckon we could put out two top-six sides.
VdS, Neville, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Tevez & Rooney would stroll the title.
KK, Brown, Pique, JOS, Silvestre, Nani, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Park, Saha & Anderson would come second! (OK, fifth)
And I couldn't squeeze in Foster or Evans, who'd both walk into most sides outside the top four.
what has happened to all the calls for Saha's head? Eh if he goes the next two games without scoring or Utd dont pick up maximum points they'll come out again blaming him again calling him a weak link etc - HOW SAD AND FICKLE MOST UTD FANS ARE!!!!!
ALIAS SMITH, I suppose this top FOUR you refer to includes MANCHESTER CITY DOES IT? WELL AFTER TONIGHT AFTER THEY BEAT BLACKBURN! TEN CONSEQUITIVE HOME VICTORIES Hmmmm not bad is it from MANCHESTERS Number 1 team is it?
nice win yesterday and four goals to our advantage against a full but (weak) sunderland squad..and chelsea and arsenal(both) ga
ve us two more points advantage allowing us (united) to sit (proudly)atop the premier league going into the second half of the season
when all players fully fit united could field one more premier league squad not playing yesterday..namely
vandersar/foster
neville simpson sylvestre pique
hargreaves scholes evra
giggs park tevez anderson manucho
(subs) eagles bardsley martin heaton dong
(wow)
l think united have more talent and depth in our squad than anytime recently
(hopefully) we can win (at least)two of the three major challenges (or maybe) all three..the premier league champions league and fa cup
then surely these irish eyes will be smilin`..enough said..happy new year to all
(subs)
I absolutely agree with Ted Knott - Saha has been getting underserved stick from some 'fans' for the past few months - talk about loyalty! Poor Saha, through no fault of his own, has had to endure lengthy spells of injury, and instead of sympathy some 'fans' cast doubt on his ment health etc etc. But as we know when Saha is fully fit he gives us fabulous performances. Last season he was phenomenal and this season he will be too if he just has that bit of luck injury-wise. Nevertheless, I still think we need a fourth striker as cover for Saha/Rooney/Tevez, if we are to take all remaining trophies (notwithstanding our gold mine of midfielders who could step in)
Opps, did not realise that Ted Knott is a City supporter when I made my previous comment. Still, cannot disagree with his point about Saha. Regarding Smith;s second team - having Anderson (who has yet to have a decent shot on goal, as great as he has been as a playmaker in midfield) upfront partnering Saha, just underlines my point about us needing a fourth striker (Dong unfortunately does not count....).
Heh Dev you need to get to know who the blue noses are. I have long been beating Saha's drum and I really believe his slow build up to full match fitness is the right approach to take as I believe this will hopefully give him a long spell in the team. At his best there is none better in his position.
ted, sorry but I'm not particularly impressed by City's form when you put it in the context of United's 43 points from a possibly 48 in the last 16 league games.
Now THAT's form. Thanks to their good early-season results, City will finish seventh, behind the big four, Everton and Portsmouth, which most City fans will be very very happy with considering that you will be higher than better sides like Blackburn, Villa and Spurs.
Ted,
what does "consequitive" mean?
do you mean consecutive??
Citeh can't win away from home so all your home points are not enough to see you finish in the top 4.
Merry Xmas & a happy New Year to all you Bitters looking up at Utd on top of the league.
Lets just see how the bitters do over the next month before proclaiming 5th place as their best ever achievement, Blackburn, West Ham, Arsenal and Liverpool at home and Everton, West Ham, Newcastle, Derby and us away. Should put you lot back in your mid table place.
Ted "Blue nose" Knott is correct insofar that Saha has received unwarranted criticism - Saha is total class and does give Utd that additional edge.
Ted's remarks as to the first team of Manchester - er, Ted, keep takin' the medication
Hey Ted, it's time to swop hands as your getting
'Skenny Eyed'.
Men need to change our heading to the red and Blues Forum. Seems like when they go down they come onto our site to rubbish us.
But then again if we were as bad as the Blues I guess we would be jealous of other clubs.
Happy New Year to all the red's supportes. Lucky new year to all the Blues.
36 degrees here in Adelaide.
2-2 Come in Ted. Ted where are you. 10 points behind now and counting. Spurs, Everton, Blackburn and Newcastle will all be in front of you at season end which puts you once again in the middle of the table. Not bad tho.
I have our best starting 11 for 2008 as Nev, Rio, Vidic and Evra. Ronaldo, Hargreaves Scholes and Nani.
Rooney and Saha. Sorry Tevez but an in form Saha just gives us more pace and power not to mention the aerial threat.
Dear Ted,
"Hmmmm not bad is it from MANCHESTERS Number 1 team is it?"
Wow, wow, wow... Manchester number 1 team? Well, now you answer this :
1. When did the last time your team won the league? You can't hardly remember it dont you?
2. Which cup your team had won in the last decade?
3. Which team that had won the treble? Man U or your's City?
4. Which team that always struggle in the middle of the league table? Man U or your's City?
5. Last one, when did the last time your team compete in a big european competition such as champions league? Me myself cant even imagine it!
So, best team in Manchester obviously the Red Devils!!! Sorry pal...
Ok, let's give Ted some stick for his rather 'over-optimistic' comments about ManCity - but I rather like the idea of ManCity finishing above Liverpool, and have been rooting for them to occupy 4th place (even better 3rd above Chelski). Probably would feel the same about Villa or Portsmouth (good managers deserve something), as its nice when the big 4 gets upset (as long as ManU of course remains up there....). Have to take my hat off to Erickssen for doing such a good job so quickly. Our game in Feb should be a cracker....
Dev, if we play like we did at the wastelands at OT against them, I am sure lightning wont strike twice and we will record an easy 4-0 victory.
The only place City are going from here are down. Portsmouth,Everton,Villa,Spurs,Blackburn,WestHam and Newxastle will all finish above them.
My prediction is City will finish 4 points above Birmingham with near enough the worst form in 2008. Sven's been lucky like he always is! He will be exposed.
As for 40 yr old Elano, hes not good enough to lace 19 yr old Anderson's boots.
When will Bertie Knott learn that as far as city are concerned his beloved blues title dream is over.His prediction of beating Blackburn was wrong, but hey whats new with this extremely bitter man .Ted you havent known about success for 32 years .As regard fickle fans you should know being one yourself.