Saha put United back on track

The summer transfer window closed and Manchester United failed to sign Dimitar Berbatov of Spurs and Bolton's Nicolas Anelka. This has left a glaring absence of quality strikers in Ferguson's lineup for the new season.

The champions have struggled so far without Rooney and the suspended Ronaldo, managing just three goals in five Premiership games.

Fergie admits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's retirement this week was totally unexpected and is a big loss to the team, especially after releasing strikers Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi. But he is far from panicking.

"Ole's situation did create a problem for us because we thought he was on the way back when Smith and Rossi left but you have to get on with it," he said.

"We haven't scored too many, I agree. It is unusual considering the number of chances we are creating. But there are not a lot of goals around in the Premiership this season at all. However, we do still need more of cutting edge to our game."

Now is as good a time as any for Louis Saha to step up to the fore. Happily to that end, Saha made a goal-scoring return following his long-term injury problems. The Frenchman had several false starts on his comeback trail following his end of season knee operation.

The match-winner was his first Premiership goal since last December and United manager Ferguson admitted he was relieved to have Saha back.

"He has come through fine and we are delighted at that also because after being out for such a long time we are aware that kind of injury can come back again but thankfully he is okay."

"Our front four haven't played together before. It was Anderson's first game, Tevez playing through on his own when I think he is far better playing behind someone, Chris Eagles is a young lad, Nani, it's new to them."

Meanwhile, Roy Keane received a rousing reception from United fans when his team Sunderland arrived at Old Trafford. Sunderland has now suffered four straight defeats but Keane is convinced his promoted team have enough to survive their first season back in the top flight.

"The result overshadowed the occasion but I did enjoy the reception, it was very, very nice, but straight after the game it's all about getting the right result," he said."We didn't quite make it but overall there were good signs for us."