Saha: The Whispers Hurt
NOTW: FOR Louis Saha, it was supposed to be the reason he joined Manchester United — to stand tall and proud with a title medal swinging from his neck.
Instead, the tormented Frenchman could barely look at what was supposed to be a badge of honour.
And that is why Saha — fighting for a starting place against Chelsea this afternoon — is desperate to banish the memory of his troubled times last season.
Not only was he ‘sad’ at his meagre contribution to United’s run to glory, he had to right rumours that he was a bottler — that he wouldn’t play even though he was fit.
But it is the feeling that his medal was ill-deserved that pained him most.
Saha (pictured celebrating last season’s title with his son Stanley) said: “I was really sad picking up my medal because everyone was taking the credit but I had not played a big part.
“So I was really down because I would have loved to have shown more. I was really down.
“I would not say I was ashamed to pick it up but it was very difficult because I am a competitor and I had wanted to play a big part in United winning the title.”
Saha had looked set for a productive campaign when he scored against Chelsea in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford early in the season. But his place came under threat from on-loan Henrik Larsson, injury intervened and Saha faded into the background.
Saha — who has appeared in less than a third of the games during his time at United — would train but not play and whispers began to come out of Old Trafford that he didn’t have the mettle to risk new injury.
It was suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson was losing patience with the former Fulham striker, although the United boss never confirmed that view.
Those whispers reached Saha and left him a troubled footballer. He recalled: “I was not fit enough to play but people were saying I was secretly not committed and that made me feel really down.
“They said it was a psychological problem and that hurt me because I love to compete.
“People would see me in training and think I was OK but I was only training at 60 per cent and you can’t take that out on to the pitch.
“My game is an explosive one and I have to be properly fit. What people were saying was not fair and at the time it hurt.”
Saha, 29, is now at peak fitness and battling to convince Ferguson that he should have a starting place against the Blues.
He said: “When I scored against Chelsea last season, it was the best spell I’d had at United. I am proud to play for the team and now I want to get back doing so.
“I am not complaining because we have such a great squad but I am not happy when I am on the bench and that is why I am working hard every day to get a place in the team.”
Although Ferguson snapped up Carlos Tevez in the summer, he resisted the temptation to sign a conventional centre-forward, despite being linked with the likes of Michael Owen and Nicolas Anelka.
Those who thought Ferguson had made a real mistake were given further ammunition by United’s stuttering start to their title defence.
But Saha is convinced Ferguson has made the right decision — and he is determined to repay the faith shown in him. He said: “I need to show the manager he was right not to buy a centre-forward.
“It is a big boost for my confidence and now I have to work hard to make sure I back it up.”
And a goal against Chelsea today — and a win against United’s fiercest rivals — would be his perfect way to start justifying Fergie’s judgment.
Saha also believes victory against managerless Chelsea would be especially crucial because he is convinced they will still be United’s closest challengers, despite the departure of Jose Mourinho.
Saha said: “I would say Chelsea are still our main rivals. They are very consistent and have a great defence and if you want to be champions you have to have that.
“If Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are missing that will be a big blow for them because they are crucial players — but they still have a very strong side.
“But this is a good chance to put a marker down. It is a good opportunity for us to show how well we can play because we know we can get a lot better than we have been so far.
“We will not win the title because of this game but a win would give you confidence and it would show your strength.”
And finally — after his season of anguish — a starring role in today’s showdown might just help Saha forget all the anguish and hurt from a year that should have been one of celebration.”
