Manchester United ace Louis Saha has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson
saved him from quitting the game. The Frenchman, who is United's
top scorer this season, claims he considered quitting because of
his injury problems.
Saha has enjoyed his best season to date with United and he has
helped them go six points clear at the top of the Premiership. The
former Fulham man has endured a frustrating time with injuries over
the last few years and Saha insists he was close to calling it
quits.
"The injuries I have had recently have been the hardest times of my
life," Saha told the News of the World. "Somewhere in my mind,
while it was happening, I thought that it was all over, that Sir
Alex Ferguson has had enough of my problems.
"It just wouldn't stop, as soon as I was ready to play again I
would get injured. I couldn't take it anymore. "At the beginning of
last season I was at my lowest - it was hell. "I thought about
throwing in the towel as I couldn't handle it any more. What
disappointed me was the fact I couldn't pay back the faith the club
and the manager had placed in me after they stood by me through
previous injuries."
Saha has special gratitude for the patience Ferguson has shown with
him through all the injury problems. "I'll always remember what Sir
Alex has done for me. I went to see him when I was at the end of my
patience," continued Saha.
"I must have been injured for the 15th time and had the impression
he had already been too nice to me. "I didn't want to abuse the
situation so I said to him, 'I can't take it any more, relegate me
to the reserve team'. He replied, 'Louis, you'll be back. We're
counting on you'. "That's a phrase I'll never forget. He never gave
up on me. Not once."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has admitted the surprise signing of Henrik
Larsson will allow him to give a rest to Saha and Wayne Rooney in
the second half of the season.
United announced a three-month loan deal for Larsson on Friday and
the former Celtic hero will add options to Ferguson's attack.
Ferguson is keen to give Saha and Rooney a break at some point and
he believes Larsson is the perfect replacement for either
player.
"The major attraction for me is that he gives me a trusted option
while I give Wayne and Louis a break," said Ferguson. "That's one
of the reasons we've signed him. "Wayne and Louis want to play
every week, but you can't allow that to happen."
