Saha: Back From the Dead …
Another Wayne Rooney foot injury raises Carlos Tevez’s importance to his new team and may bring Louis Saha’s United career back from the dead.
The significance of both strikers to United’s cause has rocketed following confirmation that the 21 year old England striker has suffered the third foot fracture of his short career.
Rooney’s latest injury is a devastating blow as both player and manager were looking forward to the season, with Rooney having enjoyed his first restful summer in years.
”Wayne’s incredible, a very strong character and he will be a big player next season, believe me,” Sir Alex told the Telegraph newspaper last month. “He’ll have a great season because this is the first time since he joined the club that he will have had a proper pre-season with us.
“The summer break will benefit everyone because they have been away for a long time. Wayne is the first to the training ground every morning. It’s unbelievable, but he just loves football and training.”
Press reports suggest Rooney could now be facing a two month lay off , at the very least.
The Mirror newspaper became the first to suggest a ’striker crisis’ at Old Trafford.
“The sight of Wayne Rooney failing to appear after suffering a hairline fracture and John O’Shea playing as an emergency striker for the final half-hour at Old Trafford summed up depth of the striker crisis United are now facing,” the newspaper declared today.
“With Rooney injured, new signing Carlos Tevez not match fit and Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer making slow progress after undergoing surgery in the summer, United are without a recognised striker just one game into the new campaign.”
Ferguson has given every indication that Tevez would be in contention for a first team place against City next weekend. The Argentine forward can now expect to make his debut instead in the midweek game against Portsmouth.
Rooney’s misfortune also presents Saha with yet another opportunity to come to United’s aid. Last June, the manager confirmed that his French striker had undergone knee surgery that was expected to make him unavailable for selection until November. That deadline has now been shortened with Sir Alex revealing today that Saha returned to training last week.
His speedy return to full fitness – both mental and physical – can not come too soon.
READ: The Saha File
