Man United face striker shortage after Saha blow

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Louis Saha has been ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring strain.

The Manchester United striker suffered the injury in training yesterday and was immediately sent for a scan by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson received the results today, with confirmation Saha will be sidelined for almost a month.

While the period does include the two-week international break, the Frenchman will miss Saturday's FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough, the Premiership clashes with Bolton and Blackburn on March 17 and 31, and, almost certainly, the first leg of the Champions League quarter final at the beginning of April should the Red Devils progress.

``Louis has a hamstring strain and will be out for around four weeks,'' said Ferguson ahead of tonight's Champions League clash with Lille.

The injury could not have come at a worse time for United given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been ruled out until the end of the month following a minor knee operation.

In addition, Henrik Larsson is due to return to Sweden next week at the end of his loan period.

So, unless Ferguson reverses his stated intention to let Larsson leave without making any attempt to keep him, even for a short period, it means United will head into the Bolton game on Saturday week with only Wayne Rooney as a fully fit forward.

Alan Smith is also likely to be available but the former Leeds man has not made a first-team appearance since the Carling Cup defeat to Southend in November.

used SG

Sad
now no choice have to play smith

RvnRooRon84 SG

Although he hasn't made a first-team appearence for quite some time, Smith looked fine just now. Managed to get that fast-strike on target. Seems like he has not lost his touch; though match-fitness isn't quite there yet.

Maybe Fergie'll switch to a Lone striker formation with an AMC behind the striker. But I can honestly, they'll certainly miss Larsson when he leaves.. Sad

AND I honestly think they should SELL that injury-prone Saha... He gone case already la... Rolling Eyes

trendz SG

fergie has to play smith partnered upfront with rooney.
doesn't sound too bad; should be able to click.

now fergie has to promote one of his reserves strikers to be on the bench. wonder who?

or else, push giggs upfront and bring in PJS to slot in the left wing.

Central MF could pair O'Shea and Carrick with Carrick taking over Scholes' position as he's suspended.

Sian.. no more strikers, damn jialat. Sad

iceFatboy SG

promote ronaldo to striker like henry.

I hope this doesn't erode MUFC challenge on the treble.

iceFatboy SG

you are right, for a big club like MUFC, to hold on to a potential landmine such as Saha is such a big risk.

4getmenot SG

seriously i'm really getting tired of saha's prone to injury also..

CKeer SG

Dont forget Saha is only one of the few United players with PACE. Everyone else are so damn slow.

Giggs is ageing so can excuse him. Carrick and Scholes? Pace has no relation to them. Neville and Evra barely make it. Ferdinand can run but doesn't do that often. Vidic lacks pace. Only Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha are effective during counter attacks.

Yes, although Saha is injury-prone, his effect on the team is imminent. He adds pace to the attack and is strong which NONE(except Rooney) of United strikers can do. Solsjaer can barely run. Smith has no pace except strength which he uses to shield the ball.

I think it's better to get players with more physical strength and pacy - suitable for the premiership. See why African countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast did pretty well in the World Cup last year? This is also the reason why Drogba, Essien, Eboue, Darren Bent thrives in EPL. Mr. Green

Cheers.
C.K

RvnRooRon84 SG

That's true, I have to agree with you there. Seems like Man U needs someone like Saha. The fact that they seldom do those fast, pacey counterattacks as compared to last, last time (during their glory days) is due to the lack of fast and pacey players. Only few are pacey. Sad

(italics) And yup! I like the way he ran and twist past two Lille players yesterday! Laughing
Wonder how he'll be like if he's an AMC instead? Very Happy

zocoss SG

Silvestre piles on injury misery for United

Manchester United have confirmed Mikael Silvestre has dislocated his right shoulder. The French defender suffered the injury after falling heavily during the latter stages of United's 1-0 Champions League win over Lille at Old Trafford.

Silvestre, who had been preferred to Gabriel Heinze in Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up, was immediately taken to hospital for a scan. And United have confirmed Ferguson's original belief that the 29-year-old had suffered a dislocation.

Although club officials have not put a time scale on Silvestre's likely recovery, Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz was back on the bench for the Blues' win over Porto on Tuesday less than three weeks after suffering a similar injury in an FA Cup tie against Norwich.

Silvestre will definitely miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final tie at Middlesbrough and the Premiership home game against Bolton on March 17 after which the domestic campaign is halted for a two-week international break.

It is the latest in a series of injuries over the past 10 days for Ferguson and his team. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been ruled out until the end of the month following minor knee surgery, Darren Fletcher will be sidelined for two months with ankle ligament damage, while Louis Saha could be out for four weeks after damaging a hamstring in training on Tuesday.

In addition, Henrik Larsson plays the last competitive game of his 10-week spell at the Riverside Stadium this weekend, with all attempts to persuade the Swede to stay on having failed.

Gackt247 SG

i find rooney very aw leh.. poor passer.. poor ball-handler.. gets dispossessed easily.. only once in awhile his crosses nice nia.

zocoss SG

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Alan Smith could be the man to guide Manchester United through their current striker crisis. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Louis Saha both sidelined and Henrik Larsson set to return to Sweden, the United boss is faced with a selection dilemma.

But with Smith making his latest comeback from a broken leg and dislocated ankle as a late substitute in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League win over Lille, Ferguson is pinning his hopes that the former Leeds man can fill the void.

"We are asking questions about how we rotate the squad and who should play up front. Alan Smith comes into that," said Ferguson. "As soon as we scored I knew it was effectively the end of the game, so it was a great opportunity to give Alan a share of it. "He will be involved again at Middlesbrough on Saturday and is certainly back in the frame."

Smith made his name at Elland Road as a prolific striker, but has found goals hard to come by since his move to Old Trafford. Last season he scored once but has failed to find the net in any of his five appearances this season.

iceFatboy SG

I think Ole and Saha is back together with Scholes.

We are only missing GVN, Fletcher and MikelS.

I think we can churn out 6 wins without them to get the title...