Ferguson hopes to see more of Saha

Although he has added the varied attacking talents of Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani to a squad which already contains Wayne Rooney and was the most prolific in the Premier League last term, Ferguson knows Saha offers something different.

Quick, strong, excellent in the air and blessed with shooting power in both feet, Saha's only major weakness is his appearance record.

Barely a month has gone by without the France international picking up one physical problem or another, hence the reason why Ferguson is showing such patience with the 29-year-old this season.

Saha has already scored an all-important winner against Sunderland and his introduction as a substitute at Goodison Park last weekend was a major factor in United sneaking a victory over Everton.

He then helped see the Red Devils home for a crucial Champions League triumph over Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

So, while the former Fulham man is likely to start on the bench tomorrow when United look to turn a difficult week into a disaster for Chelsea following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Ferguson confirmed Saha is a hugely influential figure at Old Trafford.

"Louis is a different type of player to anyone else I have at the club," he said.

"If you look at last season, he had already scored 12 goals up to the point where he got his injury in December. If he had stayed fit, he might have got us 30.

"He has already come on against Sunderland and scored an important goal for us and changed it for us against Sporting on Wednesday at a point when Wayne was starting to tire.

"If Louis stays fit, we have a big, big chance this year."

With Gary Neville still over a week away from a return from calf and thigh trouble and Owen Hargreaves not quite close enough to be considered as he inches towards a recovery from a thigh injury picked up on England duty, Ferguson will rely on the squad which collected maximum points from their trip to Portugal.

The Scot's major selection issue centres around a possible recall for Tevez, possibly in place of Nani.

Given the turmoil at Stamford Bridge, the close bond Mourinho forged with so many of his key men and their recent poor form, Chelsea would appear to make ideal opponents at the present time.

Key duo Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are not thought to be any closer to full fitness and the void left by their absence was emphasised in Tuesday's draw with Rosenborg, in what proved to be Mourinho's last match in charge.

However, Ferguson will take any team news seeping out of the capital with a very large pinch of salt.

"Chelsea are like every club, including ourselves, in that you try to conceal information," he said. "You try to protect your knowledge."

Ferguson insists United cannot allow the departure of Mourinho to have any effect on their planning, although he concedes the exit of his old rival is not a reason for celebration.

"Jose leaving Chelsea is a disappointment for the game. He brought something fresh and new and I enjoyed the competition with him. I will miss the personal challenge.

"He enjoyed unparalleled success at Chelsea and it will be a big test for whoever replaces him. At the moment that person is Avram Grant."