LOUIS Saha is glad to have got "back to basics" - and to the United striker that means scoring goals.
The French ace scored twice at Sunderland on Boxing Day, his first goals since netting a late penalty after coming on as a substitute against Chelsea three months ago.
And, perhaps more importantly, it was only the third time this season that he had managed to fit a full 90 minutes of football under his belt after three years of injury problems since he signed for the Reds.
Other than playing full matches at Roma and Bolton, Saha has started three games only to be substituted - and come on as a sub 10 times.
"It was good to get a start," said Saha. "Everyone wants to get their feet on the ground and I got that chance today.
"Scoring again has given me plenty of confidence. I needed to get back to the basics for a striker, and that means scoring goals. I had a couple of chances and was glad to get on the scoresheet."
Saha is now hoping to get another run-out at West Ham, but the expected return of Carlos Tevez after the Argentinian was rested at Sunderland, may mean he is back on the bench despite his brace.
Strength
But Saha could only marvel at the strength of the United squad this season: "It is amazing to have a team like that with players rested. It is also getting stronger every week, and we still have Paul Scholes and Gary Neville close to being fit again.
"There were a few fit players who didn't even travel to Sunderland and were given a rest, which again is amazing.
"But it is difficult to play four games in nine days as we will do, and any club which doesn't have a good squad will find it hard.
"Even then it is difficult, as you have to be mentally very strong, and the management has to be clever."
And he expects the Reds to keep up the pressure on Arsenal's own faltering title challenge with another strong performance at Upton Park, often a bogey venue for United.
"Any Premier League game is difficult but West Ham especially so in the last few years, but we are showing great confidence in every game and we have to do that again on Saturday," said Saha.
"It was a very professional performance in the atmosphere you get at Sunderland.
"It was important to get a result and we did that by passing the ball and scoring at the right moments."
Saha also pointed to the returning form of his strike partner Wayne Rooney as a key factor.
He said: "Wayne was unbelievable - his movement and the way he controlled the whole game for us. But it was a great team performance as well."
Would you choose a fully fit Saha ahead of Tevez? Have your say.
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My boy's back! And he's back for good this time.
I think Saha and Tevez offer us different possibilities. At times we may want to use all 3 (Rooney looks good coming in from the left), and at other times a combination of Saha/Tevz or Saha/Rooney or Tevez/Rooney. What great choices! With so many games coming up, often 3 games a week from February, we need these options. So I would not choose, whoever is on form at a particular moment should play (unless they are being rested for the next game).
A great player is one who can grab a game by the scruff of its neck and turn it around by himself. We’ve always had players like that at Utd and, thankfully, we’ve got three or four now – but Saha is not one of them.
I’m not having a go at him, I’m not fickle or being disloyal; I’m just stating my view. I hope yesterday’s game did his confidence the power of good and I’d love to see him rack up that goal tally. He’s fine when those around him are on song and he’s got his place in the squad when we need to play one up front but I don’t think he’s got the first touch control or the skills to be a one-man hero.
With the Rooney/Tevez combo, one can carry the other if he’s going through a difficult patch. With Saha in the mix we need everyone on form to get the best out of him.
Saha is class, and obviously loves playing against Sunderland; scoring the winner in our home game against them as well. Maybe Keano tries his luck with a cheeky bid in January? Although we seem blessed with three talented forwards, we're still on thin ice. An injury on either would leave us playing the remaining duo in every game.
I think Southern Red is forgetting Saha's game-turning performances last year, as well as a fantastic performance against Arse (I think?) a few months back (e.g. his sublime back pass put Evra through for a goal). But he is a different player to Tevez, I agree, so it depends on the opposition and on their respective form at any given time. Fergie will have to experiment, as its not exact science. Saha's height can make a great difference against some sides - but really, it depends on the day who Fergie starts with and who he brings on as an impact player. To say who is 'better' makes little sense as they are very different players, both potential match-winners on their day. Fully agree though we are skating on thin ice without a fourth striker.....
Great to have Saha back. He is a great striker. Holds the ball well with his back to goal before passing/striking (very Andy Cole like). Totally different from the way Tevez plays. As you see during games, Tevez will run at players who have the ball and make them give up posession, Saha on the other hand will wait for a pass and play the ball more.
As for the 4th striker option. Yes we need one, but I prefer a young player who can learn from S,T&R.
Just a thought but given the work rate of Roo and tevez could we ever play 4-3-3 with Scholes Hargreaves and Carrick in Midfield and Roo, Saha and Tevez up front. Roo and Tevez playing wide behind Saha. I know playing against a packed defence suggests wide players but everything aerial gets cut off as Roo and Tevez are small. I'm not forgetting Ronny but he can't play every game. Carrick, Saha and Rooney (not so much now) need games. Saha's first touch has deserted him but that is probably lack of playing time and confidence. I think he should start against the hammers.
Isnt Manucho Goncalves gonna be 4th choice eventually?
Dev, Jo’burg. I’m not talking flashes of genius – I expect anyone who plays for us to show those occasionally. I’m talking taking command like Ronaldo seems to be doing frequently, like Rooney can, Tevez certainly did for the Hammers, that ex Arseman who’s name I wont utter (curse him for being good), like that ugly bloke from LPool (may not narrow it down too much but if I say he can actually play football you will know who I mean), Keano used to do it, Eric did, so did Robson and Buchan before him.
Isn’t it great to be spoilt for choice and having a debate like this?
Southern Red, I think you have a short memory and are forgetting the qualities he brings to the game, so many already stated very clearly by others in this article. BTW I always thought this was a team game...despite what you may "believe" teams win games not individuals. Glad he's back he is full of qualities this team needs and will benefit from when he takes to the pitch. Go gettin Louie!!!!
And United forever!!!
I bet the bitters wished they had saha,pmsl.
1 of the reasons utd won the treble is because they had 4 intelligent strikers that cud in their own right be starters but,cole and yorke were the perfect combination, cole was the target man and cud get behind the back 4 and yorke was the creator = saha is cole ( and lets face it utd fans didnt like him at 1st)rooney is yorke tevez however is not clever and plays like an ape totally brainless and isnt nearly good enogh to get by on his physical abilities hes to slow and isnt strong enough he seems a pointless player a player who has no substance what use is he to you when his strength is defending from the front derby cud do with players like that not utd.