Saha Scores Winner Against The Black Cats

Louis Saha marked his return from injury with a vital winning goal as United just about overcame a well-disciplined Sunderland side on a nail-biting afternoon at Old Trafford.

The French striker, on as a half-time substitute for debutant Anderson, headed home a Nani corner 19 minutes from time to finally end the resistance of the visitors, who were inspired by a fine performance from goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Ex-Reds skipper Roy Keane returned to Old Trafford for the first time as an opposition manager, and included a host of former United players in his side - including the highly impressive Dwight Yorke in midfield.

Predictably, and completely correctly, Keane was afforded a rapturous reception on his return, and the sentiment continued to flow as both teams quickly assembled into a guard of honour for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who announced his retirement this week.

The veteran striker received a standing ovation from all corners of the ground, including the generous travelling support, before departing the spotlight after an impromptu embrace with Keane.

With two legends of the modern era suitably recognised, it was time for the focus to move quickly into the present, a shift which was facilitated in no small part by United's starting line up.

All four of the Reds' summer signings started for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, with Brazilian playmaker Anderson the latest debutant in attack.

It was another new boy, Nani, who had the game's first noteworthy effort. The winger's left-footed shot had none of the venom which brought his first United goal last week, against Tottenham, but it still had Gordon scrambling unconvincingly across his line.

Shortly afterwards, Patrice Evra fizzed in a fine left-wing cross, only for Danny Higginbotham -
another ex-Red - to superbly snuff out the danger in his first real act on his Black Cats debut.

United were, as is often the case, dominant in possession in the face of the visitors' limited attacking ambition, but there was no apparent cutting edge in the early exchanges.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium throughout a fairly lifeless first half, although Anderson was harshly denied a free run on goal just before the half-hour, having been adjudged to have fouled Nyron Nosworthy.

Much of the Brazilian's debut was a frustrating affair, although he did show glimpses raw power to accompany his much-vaunted skill.

His first sniff of space resulted in a decent chance for Tevez. Following a slip by Yorke in the centre of midfield, Anderson advanced and released the Argentine on the left edge of the area.

Despite the acute angle, Tevez opted for a first-time shot which Gordon did well to parry out. Moments later, the Scot was called into action again as he clutched at a long-range effort from Eagles.

That brief flurry of activity was an anomoly for much of the first 45 minutes, however. For all the enterprising build-up play on show across the United attack, there was no evident focal point to aim for.

As such, it was little surprise that United's closest brush with taking the lead came from a set-piece. Nani cleverly teed up Scholes, whose 25-yard effort was deflected just past Gordon's right-hand post by Nosworthy.

That was the last action before the half-time break, at which point Sir Alex opted for a change of personnel and approach.

The absence of an out-and-out striker had been blamed for United's lean goalscoring spell in many corners, and the half-time introduction of Saha would test the validity of those claims.

The Frenchman started the second half in place of Anderson, in doing so clocking up his first minutes of action since last May's Champions League semi-final exit in Milan.

Within 90 second he was heavily involved, as a harsh offside flag invalidated a right-foot shot which forced Gordon into action. Immediately sensing the new possibilities, the home fans were nudged into vocal action.

Again involved moments later, Saha chased a long punt from Rio Ferdinand. Higginbotham's clearing header dropped to Tevez, who saw his low shot well held by Gordon.

The Scot, established as Britain's most expensive goalkeeper by his move from Hearts, showed exactly why Sunderland had lavished £9million on his signing with a stunning stop from Saha after 56 minutes.

Hargreaves, Scholes and Eagles combined to feed the Frenchman, whose superb control and snapshot was brilliantly kept out by Gordon's right arm. Nemanja Vidic then volleyed narrowly over from the resulting corner as United continued to press without tangible reward.

Frustration almost turned to despair on the hour-mark, as Edwin van der Sar reacted well to punch away Rio Ferdinand's skewed header with Kenwyne Jones lurking.

Gordon again saved the visitors, parrying a Hargreaves shot and gathering the rebound before Scholes could convert, but the Scot was caught cold when United finally took the lead after 71 minutes.

Nani fizzed in a superb left-wing corner which Saha converted, rising between Daryl Murphy and Nosworthy to head past the stranded goalkeeper. Old Trafford erupted - with part joy, part relief - and the Frenchman revelled in his glorious cameo in front of a baying Stretford End. Those who had awaited Saha's comeback as a return of the Reds' goalscoring threat had been validated.

A second was almost forthcoming 10 minutes from time, as the excellent Hargreaves fizzed a 25-yard effort just over Gordon's top corner.

Saha then claimed a penalty after going to ground under pressure from Higginbotham, while those claims were reprised for a handball by Collins four minutes from time.

Substitute Darren Fletcher, on for the impressive Nani, lifted a half-chance over the crossbar as United missed the chance to double their advantage. It mattered little, though.

The important thing was the garnering of another three points and, perhaps more crucially in the long-run, the return of Saha to provide a telling goal threat upfront.

Team line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Hargreaves, Scholes, Eagles (Fletcher, 66); Anderson (Saha, 46), Tevez, Nani (O'Shea, 84).

Substitutes not used: Carrick, Kuszczak.

Sunderland: Gordon; McShane, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins; Etuhu (Miller, 82), Leadbitter, Yorke, Wallace (Stokes, 82); Chopra, Jones (Murphy, 70).

Substitutes not used: Ward, Kay.

Attendance: 75,648

Louis Saha comes off the bench to head the only goal as the hosts gain an unconvincing victory