Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed plans to use Louis Saha as a
substitute more often.
Six of the Frenchmans seven appearances this season have come as a
sub, and Sir Alex increasingly envisages the 29-year-old forward
being an impact player to come off the bench and change
games.
Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez have performed exceptionally this
term. But where Saha was once seen as a first-choice starter, Sir
Alex now plans to use him tactically and, he hopes, to greater
effect.
The situation Louis finds himself in with his knee condition means
he wont play every game, said Sir Alex. The dilemma is whether
to start him or bring him on.
If you look at the composition of the side, he is different from
everyone else, so he makes a bigger impact as a substitute. He
makes a great impact. Therefore my inclination is to use him as a
sub. Hes fine with that.
United had great success using Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a
substitute. The Norwegian forward 150 of his 366 appearances for
United coming as a sub often struck the winning goal or a
last-gasp equaliser. Although Sir Alex was keen to point out that
Solskjaer and Saha are not in the same mould, he will be hoping the
French striker can make a similar impact. And with Solskjaer now on
Uniteds coaching staff to work with the strikers, he may impart
some of his vast knowledge.
They are different types of players, he said. Ole could come on
and score a goal in any situation. He was the best at it. His ratio
of goals coming on as sub and in important games, too was
incredible. But Louis does more for the team in terms of his speed,
physical presence, aerial ability. He brings a lot of qualities to
the team.
