The Manchester United striker has been plagued by fitness problems throughout his time at Old Trafford but launched his latest comeback in the best manner possible by nodding home the all-important winner to spoil Roy Keane's return to the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday.

The Frenchman's pivotal contribution emphasised why Sir Alex Ferguson has become so frustrated by his continued absence during an eight-month period which has seen Saha suffer hamstring and knee problems that restricted the 28-year-old to just seven league appearances in 2007 prior to his latest outing.

If Saha could stay injury-free, it would transform a United side who badly need his pace, strength and aerial ability. Tellingly, the £12.8million former Fulham man knows how that could be achieved - but he is not prepared to do it.

"I know exactly how not to get injured," he said. "All I have to do is play without full commitment. But I won't do it, I can't do it.

"United players have to play at 100%, so if things like this happen to me, it is just because of the game."

Cruelly dubbed 'Man of Glass' by some United fans, Saha has admitted some of the criticism he has received is deserved.

Now all he can hope for is a renewed chance to impress, although, understandably, he is looking no further forward than the trip to high-flying Everton on September 15.

"I was just happy to be back on the pitch, to score was immense," he said after nodding home Nani's corner to net his first league goal for United since last December.

"It has been a very difficult period and I have had a lot of criticism, which was fair.

"Now I have an amazing chance to try and get fitter over the next two weeks because before this, I only played in a couple of training games."