Saha buoyed by start

Louis Saha was delighted to come through his first league start of the season against Blackburn Rovers unscathed after a long battle with a knee complaint.

Sir Alex Ferguson had planned to continue using the French striker in a bit-part role from the bench so as not to risk any further injury niggles.

But Wayne Rooney's enforced absence through an ankle injury saw Sir Alex include Saha in his starting XI for only the second time of the campaign, as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners over Mark Hughes' side.

"It has been such a long time since I was in the starting line-up and it felt good to be in there," Saha told L'Equipe. "I was in the starting XI against Roma, but that day I was not at my best.

"I took advantage of the Wayne Rooney injury, but that is why a whole squad is useful.

"It went smoothly against Blackburn. I won't complain about failing to score because the most important thing is the team won."