Fergie feels Saha is key to glory

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United have a "big, big chance" of glory this season if striker Louis Saha can stay fit.
Although he has added the varied attacking talents of Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani to a squad which already contains Wayne Rooney and was the most prolific in the Premier League last term, Ferguson knows Saha offers something different.

Quick, strong, excellent in the air and blessed with shooting power in both feet, Saha's only major weakness is his appearance record.

Barely a month has gone by without the France international picking up one physical problem or another, hence the reason why Ferguson is showing such patience with the 29-year-old this season.

Saha has already scored an all-important winner against Sunderland and his introduction as a substitute at Goodison Park last weekend was a major factor in United sneaking a victory over Everton.

He then helped see the Red Devils home for a crucial Champions League triumph over Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

So, while the former Fulham man is likely to start on the bench on Sunday when United look to turn a difficult week into a disaster for Chelsea following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Ferguson confirmed Saha is a hugely influential figure at Old Trafford.

"Louis is a different type of player to anyone else I have at the club," he said.

"If you look at last season, he had already scored 12 goals up to the point where he got his injury in December. If he had stayed fit, he might have got us 30.

"He has already come on against Sunderland and scored an important goal for us and changed it for us against Sporting on Wednesday at a point when Wayne was starting to tire.

"If Louis stays fit, we have a big, big chance this year."