[Natalie]

Sir Alex Ferguson insists that Louis Saha is ready and raring to go in Saturday's FA Cup fifth round clash with Arsenal.

The Manchester United striker has not featured for the first team since picking up a knee injury in the third round tie with Aston Villa and has been restricted to just 19 appearances in all competitions this season.

However, having now made a successful return to training in the past couple of weeks, Ferguson is delighted to have the French international back in contention entering the business end of the campaign.

Different

"He's a fantastic player and I'm glad to have him back at this particular junction of the season," said the United boss.

"He adds something different from what we have as a team as everyone knows and therefore, it's welcome back.

"There's no question that he is fully recovered, he's done a lot of training now, he's through that 10 days of intensive football so he's okay."

Balance

With United and Arsenal both still involved on three fronts this season Ferguson expects both sides to ring the changes ahead of the weekend showdown at Old Trafford.

"I don't think either side will play the side that everyone expects. We'll make a couple of changes," he admitted.

"The view is that with massive games like Arsenal and then Lyon (in the UEFA Champions League) on Wednesday you have to have a lot of consideration about how you balance out your team and hopefully we'll get it right.

"I think the game will be a normal Arsenal, Manchester United game full of great commitment, feisty, competitive but full of a lot of football because both teams certainly play good football."
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ive gota good felling about this
see him being the diffrence

 

[reddwarf]

I'd be stunned if he starts against Arsenal or Lyon but it'll be good to have another striker on the bench for a change.

Let's hope he can stay fit for a sustained period this time.

 

[Jazz 16]

We can always use him if things arent going to plan.
As we all know he offers us something different up front,
which could prove crucial over the next few games.
lets hope he hits the ground running and stays well away from injuries.

 

[CROoney]

ok - it's official - this guy is the most injury plagued player in the history of SPORT - not football - but sport ! I've actually become tired of all the "saha's back, no he isn't" news... or "saha should go, no he shouldn't " ... i don't care anymore...so, so tired..... bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[reddwarf]

ok - it's official - this guy is the most injury plagued player in the history of SPORT - not football - but sport ! I've actually become tired of all the "saha's back, no he isn't" news... or "saha should go, no he shouldn't " ... i don't care anymore...so, so tired..... bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ah, c'mon. You love him really

I know I will if he comes off the bench to score the winner tomorrow

 

[Stephen]

YES! WAHOO!

Let's hope he stays fit and gives Rooney and Tevez a break when needed.

Still think he should go as soon as the summer rolls around.

 

[donthered]

Lets hope he scores before he is injured again,lol

 

[haggler]

bad news i am afraid he was opening his wage slip and has sustained a very nasty paper cut . the medical staff said all it needed was a plaster but the sight of his own blood sent him into deep trauma and he has booked in with the club quack for counselling

 

[carlyluvsunited]

I know I will if he comes off the bench to score the winner tomorrow

Probably get the same odds for him to come off the bench and score ...

As you would for him coming off the bench and getting injured before he reaches the pitch ...

He's managed that before don't forget ...

 

[yangch0000]

i just hope he is half as confident as ronaldo.

 

[BALROG]

Saha should only be used when we have a serious lead. tevez or rooney should be sub'd and we can all watch saha jog for awhile!

 

[NateR]

Our Lord who art in Heaven, please don't let Saha get injured again, Amen.

 

[Fergaiste]

I truly believe saha is vital to the destiny of our season. As Fergie says he offers something different-strength,pace, good in the air and a poacher's instinct. I think he is now due a run of games having had his customary injury period for the last month. Fingers crossed he remains fit as a healthy Saha is as good as any centre forward in gthe premiership.We missed him definitely in the run in last season so i have a feeling he'll be around for the next couple of months well hopefully anyway. aS for tomorrow Tevez needs a break so I think Louis could well start tomorrow.

 

[owenrooneyruud]

WICKED...he changes the game coming off the bench..look at the game we played against arsenal

 

[Devilsnevercry]

Optimist - He gets back to his form and plays to the potnetial he could

Pessimist - who cares

 

[red devil_forever07]

dont care SAHA will play or not..
i jst want UNITED to win ths match.. ths all

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GGMU

 

[Stephen]

dont care SAHA will play or not..
i jst want UNITED to win ths match.. ths all

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GGMU

If GGMU stands for Go,Go, Man U. I will scream

 

[slap u lar]

who gives a shit bout saha. hes let us ,himself ,and football in general down, how can some1 be so injury prone and expect fans to be bothered if hes fit or not. we should of got some sort of player to cover the striker position by now and coz we havent ,if rooney or tevez get injured now ,were bollixed and thats that im afraid .

 

[Titface]

who gives a shit bout saha. hes let us ,himself ,and football in general down, how can some1 be so injury prone and expect fans to be bothered if hes fit or not. we should of got some sort of player to cover the striker position by now and coz we havent ,if rooney or tevez get injured now ,were bollixed and thats that im afraid .

thats abit harsh!
he scored a fair few goals last season(that priceless goal against chelsea springs to mind) and we wouldn't of won the title without him
although he has frustrated me this season i would like him to get fully fit.

i rekon saha thrives off confidence, more so than other strikers, so if he can get a goal or two in the next couple of games it will do him the world of good.

 

[NateR]

who gives a shit bout saha. hes let us ,himself ,and football in general down, how can some1 be so injury prone and expect fans to be bothered if hes fit or not. we should of got some sort of player to cover the striker position by now and coz we havent ,if rooney or tevez get injured now ,were bollixed and thats that im afraid .

It is hardly his fault if he is so injury prone. He's a great player for us when he's fit and firing on all cylinders. If he hadn't gotten injured last season, he would have scored lots of goals for us.
Give him a break.