By Chris O'Brien
May 11 2005

Frenchman Louis Saha is determined to put a dissappointing season behind him and establish himself as a first-team regular for the 2005/2006 campaign. United's off-form forward blames a series of niggling injuries for his unimpressive form since a high-profile £12.5million move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United's off-form forward Louis Saha has assured fans that he has plenty more to offer the F.A Cup finalists, having endured something off a torrid time at Old Trafford since his high-profile £12.5million transfer from Fulham nearly 18 months ago.

Saha's move to Lancashire came at a time when he was on red hot form for the Cottagers. The media were running out of superlatives to throw at the Frenchman, and his move to United came as no surprise with Sir Alex Ferguson looking for a new partner for Ruud Van Nistelrooy. On paper it looked a deadly combination. In reality, Saha has failed to impress and niggling injuries mean he has made only 16 Premiership starts since the start of 2004.

"The fans have not seen the best of me yet. Far from it. I am feeling good in training now and my confidence is coming back. But really I need months of football, not weeks, and I am already looking forward to pre-season." said the 27-year-old.

With United failing to challenge Chelsea at the top of the Football League, Saha has spent a lot of the season in the treatment room and when he has played, has regularly looked a yard off the pace. An honest Saha admits that he has not performed well this term, but is determined to bounce back next season and establish himself as a regular in the Red Devils XI.

"It has been an absolute nightmare. I think the Norwich game was the worst three weeks ago. I had got back fit again, got my chance and after 15 minutes I could not run. There was no explanation. It really was hard to take. I am a professional footballer and I just want to play. I am normally quite a 'smiley' person but I have found this really hard." added Saha.

Saha has a total of 9 MUFC goals from 35 appearances, and will be hoping to strengthen his return next season in what is certain to be a make or break year for the former Newcastle United and Metz attacker. With Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney all battling it out for places, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returning from injury and the emergence of youngster Giuseppe Rossi from the reserves, it will be interesting to see if Saha can fulfil his potential at the Theatre of Dreams.