Man Utd Injury Thread

[dukeofdavinci]

i think he is trying to match phil since he also scored in evertons match

[kyan]

Injury Curse Strikes Again For Saha
Manchester United's Louis Saha will be out of action for three weeks after suffering yet another knee injury

French international Louis Saha faces yet another spell on the sidelines after he injured his knee once again.

The United striker pulled up in training on Friday with the problem, which was initially thought to be much worse than has proved the case.

Club doctors are hopeful that it is just a twist, meaning three weeks out of action but no operation.

Nevertheless, this is just the latest in a long line of injury setbacks for the Frenchman, who signed from Fulham in 2004 for £13m.

Saha has made 110 appearances for the club since then, netting 41 times, but Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be losing faith in the player's ability to stay fit.

This latest news will likely prompt United to step up their pursuit of Ajax target man Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Goal.com - England - Injury Curse Strikes Again For Saha

Wow, what a surprise

[dukeofdavinci]

kyan do you what is funny about his latest injury???coz it came several hours after an article about him commenting that he is now good ofr a prolonged run after the 4 games he had in festive period.

and after coule of hrs i read he is injured back....i was like wth hell???and at the same time felt like well thats "ohh ok same old nothing to be suprised"

11/01/2008 07:30, Report by Ben Hibbs

Saha relishes run in the side

Louis Saha is relishing being involved in United's last five games and says he has been boosted by the faith Sir Alex Ferguson has shown in him.

Saha has started three of the Reds' festive fixtures, scoring twice. In fact, he took part in six of United's seven matches in December and has played both games since the turn of the year.

"It was great to be back in the side and so heavily involved over Christmas," he told United Review. "As a player you want to play every minute and I'm no different. I was very happy to be on the pitch and I enjoyed myself a lot."

For Saha it was a boost to his confidence to be so heavily involved, especially at a time when players are linked with a move either to or from Old Trafford.

"At this time of the year there are always rumours linking players with moves to and from United," he said. "But personally I don’t take any notice of it. The manager’s always shown a lot of faith in me and that’s a really nice feeling and gives me a lot of confidence."

Saha will hope to be involved at Old Trafford on Saturday against Newcastle, a club he spent five months with on loan from Metz in 1999. The 29-year-old says the Reds have plenty to be wary of on Saturday, especially as the Magpies players will look for a positive result after the departure of Sam Allardyce.

"Alan Smith left United at the end of last season and he’ll be a real handful," added Saha. "So many times in the past players return to their former club and score. Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka are also ones to watch. All the strikers at Newcastle have the ability to change a game. We’ll have to be careful, but I think with Rio and Vidic at the back we’ll be okay."

and a few hrs after that one:

11/01/2008 13:20, Report by Gemma Thompson

Trio suffer knocks

Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville are major doubts for United's Barclays Premier League clash with managerless Newcastle United on Saturday, but Louis Saha has an outside chance of making the squad.

Neville strained his hamstring during his comeback for the Reserves in mid-week, while Hargreaves injured his ribs in training.

Saha also picked up a knock in the build-up to Saturday's tea-time clash, but Sir Alex Ferguson says the striker could be involved against the Geordies.

"Louis got a knock in training, but hopefully he'll be okay - we're going to have a look at him later," revealed the boss at his pre-match press conference.

"Gary's hamstring was a bit tight at half-time in the Reserves game the other night. The weather conditions were appalling and the pitch was very heavy so we decided to take him off. Nevertheless, it was a good start for him.

"Owen got a knock in training in the ribs and is doubtful for Saturday. Chris Eagles is definitely out after picking up a thigh injury also in training. The number of training injuries we've had is amazing. But everyone else is fine."

Earlier this week Sir Alex was looking forward to facing his big pal Sam Allardyce, but after just eight months in charge at St. James' Park Allardyce left the club by mutual consent on Wednesday evening.

Sir Alex admits he finds it hard to believe he's discussing yet another managerial casulty this season.

"Eight times this season I've had to talk about a Premier League manager leaving their jobs and every time I say there's a lack of patience from clubs," he explained.

"I think it's a modern day trend - people today have not got the patience and the unfortunate thing for Sam was he was appointed by a different chairman [Freddy Shepherd] to the one that's there now. That was probably the most dangerous part about the situation he found himself in.

"I don't really know what to make of the game itself," he added. "Sometimes when a team loses a manager and appoints a new one it can be difficult [for the opposition] as we found when we played West Ham last season [after Alan Curbishley took over].

"But obviously in Newcastle's case they don't have a new manager yet, Nigel Pearson is taking the team for the day. Hopefully, we can do what we have to do and get the win."

funny stuff

[kyan]

it would be funny if he wasn't our only backup striker. we're lucky he made it through the christmas period otherwise we would have been in big trouble with Tevez and Rooney both out for a bit too.

I'd be disappointed if we didn't offload Saha this summer now though.

[jlae11]

should we start giving hargreaves a hard time about being injured... that c**t has been injured for half the season!!!!!!!!!

[kyan]

I dunno, Hargreaves had a broken leg last year so it's not like he was particularly injury-free when he joined us. And Saha's been injured non-stop for the last 3 years, and we don't have much/any cover in that position other than him whereas we're damn strong in CM, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves, Fletcher, O'Shea, that's 6 full internationals.

On Saha there are rumours that he could be out for the rest of the season although United are claiming it's not true

Man Utd reject fresh Saha fears

Manchester United have dismissed reports that striker Louis Saha has suffered another major injury setback.

Several newspapers said on Sunday that the injury-plagued 29-year-old had damaged knee ligaments and could be out for the rest of the season.

But chief executive David Gill told BBC Radio 5 Live the France international had a "slight knock - he is certainly not out for the rest of the season".

United would not be doing any business in the transfer window, Gill added.

"I don't think there will be any purchases in the transfer window," he said.

"We invested heavily last summer and believe we have a very good squad that can really go for the honours in the balance of the season.

"We will assess in the summer as well always do and see where things have gone well and not so well, and see where we can strengthen."

United have been in sparkling attacking form this season despite Saha's intermittent appearances, largely because of the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and new Argentine signing Carlos Tevez.

Gill said on Friday that the club would not sell Ronaldo at any price, and he said on Sunday that Rooney fell into the same category.

"We made it clear Cristiano would never be for sale," Gill said. Wayne and a number of other key players fit into that category.

"Rooney is a world-class footballer and 22 years old, not only a great player but very popular around the club. He absolutely loves the club and we will make sure we keep him for many, many years."

Saha has been dogged by a series of injuries since his £12.8m move to Old Trafford from Fulham in 2004.

He had knee surgery in the summer and has scored four goals so far this season.

Injuries meant Saha started just 18 league games for United last season, scoring eight goals as they won the Premiership title.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Man Utd reject fresh Saha fears

And also, does anyone know the news on Evra, came off with a knock yesterday didn't he?

[dukeofdavinci]

ya, i think its just a slight knock and hope he can be back for the reading game

[Mr Brightside]

Scholesy is due back within the month. Perfect timing to get our best and most experienced midfielder back.

And Gaz is due back too.

It's looking good, especially if we buy Berbatov.

[dukeofdavinci]

Scholes nearing comeback

United have been given a welcome injury boost with the news that Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Louis Saha are all close to full fitness.

Owen Hargreaves and Gerard Pique have also recovered from knocks and are available for the Barclays Premier League trip to Reading on Saturday.

Scholes has been out of action since October after injuring knee ligaments before United's Champions League clash with Dynamo Kyiv.

He has since returned to light training and will be checked out by United's medical team next Thursday to determine whether or not he will be available for the FA Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday week.

Neville, meanwhile, could fly out with the squad to Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening for their four-day training camp. The Reds' defender made a successful comeback in the Reserves last week after ten months on the sidelines. But he felt his hamstring in the aftermath and was forced to rest up.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff will make a decision about the skipper after training on Friday. If he's left behind, he will play for the Reserves against Bolton Wanderers next Wednesday.

Saha is ahead of schedule in his race to overcome a knee complaint. The striker missed United's 6-0 demolition of Newcastle last weekend with the knock and the club confirmed he would be out for around three weeks. But United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz says is now in the last stages of his rehabilitation and is likely to be back sooner than expected.

wow im impressed, we could have scholes as early as the cup match.

good news on owen and pique.some doubts on gary but im not gonna say anything on saha though since it seems very useless commenting on his injuries.

[dukeofdavinci]

Foster nears Reds return

Ben Foster is tantalisingly close to playing for United’s reserves, a huge step on his road to recovery after eight months out following a serious knee injury.

Foster, who underwent cruciate knee ligament surgery in the summer, has been training hard for months now and is itching to get back into action.

"All is going well," he told MUTV. "I've been training for the last two or three months. I started full time training about six weeks ago.

"All been good so far, no niggles or pain, so I'm looking to play a reserves game pretty soon.”

The 24-year-old is yet to play for the first-team, despite being a United player for almost three years. Impressive spells on loan with Watford raised his profile to the extent that he earned his first England cap a year ago – which came in a friendly against Spain, ironically at Old Trafford.

The temptation, for Sir Alex Ferguson as much as Foster, is to return as soon as possible. But United’s medical staff don’t want to rush the former Stoke City keeper at the risk of re-injury.

"It's a serious injury,” he added. “I've been out for eight months. I always knew it would be tough this season. I've got to the stage now where I'm itching to go, but the physios are just having to hold me back. It's frustrating, but you have to listen to them.”

United’s Reserves play Liverpool next week, a game Foster would love to play in. But it is likely to come too soon, and there is more vital work to be done on the training ground before Foster is completely ready for his comeback.

“The Liverpool game on Tuesday for the Reserves would have been ideal, but the medical staff just want me to have a couple more weeks in training.

“I've got to start from where I left off at the start of last season. I felt confident in myself in any given situation. Eight months out knocks you a bit. You forget tiny little things about your game that you need to think about.

“I'm working on my sharpness and my handling in training now. There's a few things I'm going to work on. Kicking, cross-taking with players around me. I've got to do a bit of that, and then I'll hopefully be ready to play for the reserves.”

Foster can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and United very shortly could have at their disposal one of the best young goalkeepers in the game.

glad to hear is nearing to playing a match.

[dukeofdavinci]

Reds wait on Edwin

United may have to give Ben Foster his Premier League debut against Derby in the wake of Edwin van der Sar's groin injury and Tomasz Kuszczak's automatic suspension.

If van der Sar isn't fit for Saturday, then Foster's return to action for the reserves last week could prove to be perfectly timed.

Assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said van der Sar sustained his injury early in the match against Portsmouth.

"He started to feel it after a couple of minutes when he was striking the ball," reported Queiroz.

"At half-time we decided there was no chance he could keep going."

Van der Sar's deputy Tomasz Kusczak came on at half-time for his 13th appearance of the season - unlucky for him as he was later sent off in the match's decisive moment.

"We accept the penalty against us," said Queiroz, after Kuszczak conceded a decisive spot-kick.

"It was a one-on-one situation and unfortunately Tomasz touched the player (Milan Baros)."

ManUtd.com will bring you news of van der Sar's injury as soon as it's confirmed from Carrington.

oh crap!! i thought he was subbed bcoz of tiredness or just a normal substitution.

im confident in ben, but can he be up to the pace of the game???
how long tom is suspended?2 or 3 games?

[kyan]

i expect kuszczak is out for 3 games, that's what it usually is for a straight red.

Luckily it's only Derby next, and I'm confident in Foster, even if he has been out a LONG time...

Maybe VDS injured himself cos he was too cold, he had nothing to do all game.

[dukeofdavinci]

i think we should have appealed for that card, i mean if the fa care to revoke lampards card then we should have the same ruling.since that stupid thing by lampard can go un punished then we who are innocent by the book should get toms card revoked.

[kyan]

Saha Training Again Affter Knee Scare

Manchester United striker Louis Saha has been able to resume training with the first team after another knee injury scare on Saturday forced him out of the FA Cup quarter final against Portsmouth.

French forward Louis Saha, who has endured a series of knee problems over several seasons, was due to be in the Manchester United starting XI against Portsmouth on Saturday, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

But the 29-year-old former Fulham striker felt pain in his knee on Saturday morning and Ferguson decided to name him among the substitutes instead.

However, during the pre-match warm up Saha felt the problem again, and it was decided not to risk him.

Th good news for Ferguson, though, is that Saha has since trained with the squad - on Sunday and Monday - so reducing fears that more knee surgery might be necessary to resolve the problem.

Goal.com - Manchester United - Saha Training Again Affter Knee Scare

It's things like this that make people think half of it's in his mind... one minute he's injured, the next day he can train. wtf?