Source: Eurosport
Saha hopes to stay fit for final
Louis Saha will resist the temptation to wrap himself in cotton wool to avoid being struck down by his long-standing FA Cup final curse.
Saha ran himself into the ground for Everton on Sunday as senior striker in the win over former club Manchester United at Wembley.
Now the Frenchman is hoping it is fifth time lucky and the end of a miserable cup final horror story, dating back to 1999 when he was left out of the Newcastle squad which lost to Manchester United by then manager Ruud Gullit.
If that was bad, much, much worse was to follow.
United reached the final in 2004. Yet again Saha missed out, this time because he was cup-tied, having played in the competition for Fulham just before his £12.8million move to Old Trafford.
Twelve months later Saha was on the treatment table when United lost on penalties to Arsenal as the knee injuries that threatened his career began to take hold.
Saha also missed the first FA Cup Final at the 'new Wembley' a year on.The former Metz star did play - and score - in the 2006 Carling Cup Final.
Even that was tinged with regret though as just five months later he was ruled out of the World Cup final through suspension, booked in the semi-final win over Portugal despite only appearing on the pitch for five minutes.
And, while he was fit for last May's Champions League Final, he had missed so much football, Sir Alex Ferguson could not even consider him for a place on the bench as United defeated Chelsea in Moscow.
Now Saha must try and remain fit for another six weeks to play a part in Everton's encounter with Chelsea.
"I am tempted to stay in bed for the next six weeks," said Saha, somewhat ruefully.
"I have missed quite a few finals and I don't want to miss this one.
"Realistically, all I can do is my best over the coming weeks. I need to train well because I can be much sharper than I am now."
There is little doubt over Saha's ability. However, the fragile state of his body is another story.
At one point Sir Alex Ferguson felt the problem was more mental than physical, a factor that David Moyes probably took into account before snapping Saha up before the transfer deadline.
The move could only be classed as a partial success given Saha was making only his 22nd appearance for the Toffeemen yesterday, a period during which he has scored only five goals.
Yet the 30-year-old remains optimistic for the future, taking quiet satisfaction at the downfall of his old club.
"I was so unlucky with injuries at Manchester United," he reflected.
"It has been a really tough time for me.
"I am not someone who gets frustrated. I played for a great team at Manchester United and I always look at how they are doing.
"But I am an Everton player now. This is a fantastic club and to reach an FA Cup Final with them is a great achievement.
"As a former United player, there were so many emotions involved at the end. It just meant so much."
