Saha is back, while Arsenal is injury hit

Saha set to return
Louis Saha is available for United's FA Cup fifth round clash with Arsenal after coming through a week's training unscathed.

The 29-year-old striker hasn't featured for the Reds since their third round victory over Aston Villa last month after picking up a knee injury in training.

He has started just eight games this season, but is finally ready to make his return to action against the Gunners.

"Louis has trained all week and should be involved," revealed Sir Alex Ferguson at his pre-match press conference. “We have strong squad for Saturday, probably the strongest for a while.

With United and Arsenal due to resume their Champions League campaigns next week - the Reds travel to Lyon, while Arsene Wenger's men host AC Milan - Sir Alex expects both sides to make changes.

“I don’t think either side will play the team that everyone expects. We’ll make a couple of changes. My view is that with massive games like Arsenal and then Lyon on Wednesday, you have to give a lot of consideration to how you balance out your teams. Hopefully I get it right.”

from: www.manutd.com, 15/02/2008 12:25, Report by Gemma Thompson & Ben Hibbs
......................................................................

Gunners hit by injuries
Although Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure are back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Arsenal could have 10 first team squad members missing for Saturday's FA Cup clash with United.

Robin van Persie, Manuel Almunia, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Denilson and Johan Djourou should miss out, while four more players have been added to the list of likely absentees this week.

"We have some problems," Arsene Wenger told the official Arsenal website. "Clichy might be out. He has a knee problem and a tight hamstring.

"We have Sagna out for personal reasons unfortunately. Philippe Senderos has not practiced all week because of a thigh and a knee problem. Theo Walcott will be short for Saturday and I wanted to play him."

Despite a crippling injury list and next week's Champions League duel with AC Milan, Wenger insists he will still field a side strong enough to advance at United's expense.

"It will be as strong as possible so we have a good chance to win the game without putting the rest of the season into jeopardy by risking injuries," he said. "But I will have a busy night thinking about what I'll do."

from: www.manutd.com, 15/02/2008 10:51, Report by Steve Bartram