The 28-year-old, who is set to line up against former club Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday, has filled the void left by departed striker Ruud van Nistelrooy by hitting six goals in nine games so far this season.

Injuries have disrupted the majority of Saha's United career, but he insists that he has emerged from his dark days at the club.

Saha said: "Ruud's departure has allowed me to play a lot more and I take Sir Alex Ferguson's trust as a compliment, but I think the Manchester United fans are seeing the real Louis Saha now.

"I've been playing consistently and for a long time now without injury and that is all I ever wanted because every time you get hit by an injury, your confidence also goes down and that was the case with me.

"But now I'm back I'm really confident and happy to be scoring on a regular basis. I'm taking a huge percentage of the chances I get now, but I want to be the sort of striker who gets three opportunities and scores three goals."

United are attempting to return to winning ways in the Premiership after picking up just one point from their last two games against Arsenal and Reading and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar admits that Ferguson's team cannot afford to drop more points against Newcastle.

He said: "Reading was the kind of game we needed to win because it was matches like that which cost us last year. We believe we have matured, so the focus is now on Newcastle and ensuring the same thing does not happen again."

Meanwhile Obafemi Martins is confident he can help put a spring in Newcastle's step by ending their 34-year Old Trafford jinx.

The North-East club are without a league win at United since 1972, but the Nigerian international is hopeful of being able to unfurl his trademark somersault celebration on Sunday in the wake of his two goals in the 2-1 midweek UEFA Cup victory over Levadia Tallinn.

Martins, who has scored three times in seven appearances since his 10-million-pound move from Inter Milan in August, said: "I did about two or three somersaults after scoring the other night and the manager's not said anything yet to me about how I celebrate.

"I think the most somersaults I've ever done after scoring was 11. But the next time I score, who knows?

"I've never played at Old Trafford but we'll go there and make it hard for them. I've played okay up to now, but I'm more relaxed now and I'm getting better all the time."

Australian international defender Craig Moore replaces Titus Bramble, who like Celestine Babayaro is serving a suspension.

Skipper Scott Parker returns alongside Nicky Butt in a five-man midfield after being rested in midweek, but on-loan Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi is ineligible.