Saha so good - United striker ready to dominate

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While Chelsea's personnel problems are mounting and Arsenal's performances have finally started to fall below the staggering levels with which they started the campaign, United appear to be hitting top four.

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Even with Carlos Tevez and Patrice Evra on the bench, Edwin van der Sar and Owen Hargreaves injured and promising midfielder Anderson left at home altogether, United still swept Sunderland aside with the minimum of fuss at the Stadium of Light yesterday.

Saha contributed his first two Premier League goals since September, yet the French forward knows he is almost certain to be back on the bench on Saturday as United look to complete a 100% record in December by beating West Ham at Upton Park.

And with Park Ji-sung making his comeback from major knee surgery on Wearside and long-serving duo Gary Neville and Paul Scholes both expected back in action before the end of next month, it is little wonder United - have assumed their place at the top of the table - are odds-on favourites to stay there.

"The squad we have is amazing," said Saha.

"It is strong in every position. A few players did not even travel yesterday and we still have Paul Scholes and Gary Neville to come back..

"We are all aware this is a difficult period. Any team who has not got the right squad will struggle during that time because fitness-wise, it is very hard.

"Mentally, you have to be very strong to get through it. That is why the manager has been very clever."

Should United return from the capital with maximum points this weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson and his team can really start dreaming about retaining their championship crown.

West Ham are notoriously hard opponents for the Red Devils to overcome and despite the Londonders' awful campaign last year, they still managed to record the double over the Old Trafford outfit.

However, the usual abuse for the visitors may be tempered by the presence of Carlos Tevez in United's ranks.

It was Tevez who guaranteed West Ham's Premier League survival last term with his winner at United on the final day and while the South American represents a major threat to Alan Curbishley's men, he is sure to be afforded a rapturous reception from the home fans.

"Every game in the Premier League is difficult but West Ham especially so," said Saha.

"It has been very hard for us on a couple of occasions down there. But we have every reason to be confident after the results we have had and that is what we have to do on Saturday."

With Wayne Rooney hitting the goal trail again and Cristiano Ronaldo now on an incredible 17 for the season following his sensational free-kick, Ferguson does not appear to have too many worries about his strikeforce at present.

And injury-plagued Saha confirmed his confidence is now fully restored after following up a neat first-half strike with a late penalty yesterday.

"Scoring gives me confidence," he reflected. "I need that.

"I need to get back to the basics as a striker and that is scoring goals.

"It was good to start. I had the opportunity to do a few things and now I feel really good.It is great to be on the scoresheet again."