Everton v United: Saha On The Bench

Manchester United face a very tricky game but their chances are boosted by the return of Louis Saha.

The Reds will play a lunchtime-derby at Everton where Liverpool and Arsenal both suffered defeats and Chelsea only stole the points via an extraordinary effort from Drogba. So it's bound to be a very difficult game but at least there is some progress on injury front.

Ji-sung Park is out for this season as he's been sent to a specialist with his knee problem. His agent told that the Korean was shocked to discover his injury was so serious as it did not look like that all when he had picked it up against Rovers.

Gary Neville seems to be no closer to a return as his ankle started to swell last week. He was pencilled in for several games but it seems we might not see him again this season.

But of course I promised to talk about progress so on to Saha now. He's been out for a month with a recurring hamstring injury but hopefully, he'll be able to make an impact in the last few games. Of course, it would be better if we did not need him at Goodison Park.

Nemanja Vidic goes to a scan on Monday and while he's surely not going to be fit for Milan, he's got a good chance for playing against Manchester City the following Saturday. That would be a blessing, the best moment since Rooney's dramatic winner against Milan.

His defensive partner, Rio Ferdinand is set to come back earlier than expected. The England defender, struggling with a groin injury, might even be in the starting line-up at San Siro.

As for our opponents, Everton, as I had said it would be a tricky game even if Andy Johnson missed it. It's always possible that he's just kept in the shadow to confuse us, that's one of the favourite strategies of David Moyes who applies it to great effect. However, if he really won't be fit, we're no better off. James Beattie, off-colour ever since his move to Everton possesses a great aerial threat and several games showed how uncomfortable we are in that case, even with our first-choice defense.

But with Chelsea at home to Bolton, we must win this game. It will need another great performance from our attackers and one might even say our defense is bound to improve. Everton are a good team but Mikel Arteta, for all his admirable performances, is no Kaká...

Prediction: 1-2. Will be close but Giggs scores a winning goal.

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