Saha: I’ll Repay Fergie
Sun: LOUIS SAHA has vowed to repay Alex Ferguson for sticking by him.
Saha has been dogged by injury setbacks ever since joining Manchester United in January 2004.
The French striker, 29, admits his problems have caused tension between himself and Ferguson at times.
But the United boss has also inspired his return.
Saha said: “The boss has rescued me for the simple fact that he kept on believing in me and showing his faith in me when I missed important game after important game.
“I know he could have let me go and it’s true that the horrible spiral of injury after injury did cause tension between us.
“But just when I thought I’d never break the cycle of getting back from one injury and immediately sustaining another one, he would shore up my morale by showing his belief in me no matter how many crucial spells of the season I missed.”
Saha says the most recent spell has been the most miserable of his career.
But he has come back to score twice in two substitute appearances this season against Sunderland and Chelsea.
He was also given the nod over Carlos Tevez against Roma on Tuesday.
Saha said: “The last 12 months have been the worst of my entire career and could have broken me.
“But I’m a much tougher man inside than people might think and, instead of going under, I decided to fight.
“It’s only been for the last two months that any of my self-belief and confidence came flooding back because that was when I could jog without pain for the first time in ages.
“Now I get the chance to pay the boss and the rest of the guys back.”
His rehabilitation was complete on Thursday when he was recalled to the French squad. He said: “It’s been too long since I felt like I did on Thursday.
“I finished training and I turned on my phone to see my message box was completely full. It’s been a long time since that happened.
“All the messages were from people telling me that I’d been recalled by France. What a great feeling.”
Ferguson admits he has a tough choice over who to pick to partner Wayne Rooney (left) up front against Wigan at home today.
Tevez has scored only once in nine appearances and is struggling for form.
Saha looks ready to take his chance. Fergie said: “What we are encouraged by was the vigorous performance Saha gave us on Tuesday.
“He’s got that great physical presence and speed.
“And I thought it was a really first-class game bearing in mind it was his first start since last February. That was really encouraging.
“His goalscoring record when he plays a run of games is excellent. He got 13 last season before his injury and he could have gone out and got 30 if he had a full season.
“He’s got that threat of getting a goal in different ways — headers or with either foot.
“What we’ve done so far is, without doubt, the right path.
“What we’ve got to decide now is whether he is ready for his second start or whether we put him back on the bench and bring him on later in the game.”
