Sir Alex Ferguson insists he had little option but to offload Louis Saha.

The French striker endured a miserable time with injuries at Manchester United, during a four-and-a-half-year spell following a £12.8million move from Fulham in January 2004.

Since moving to Everton Saha has found a new lease of life, but as the player prepares to return to Old Trafford on Saturday, Ferguson insists he was right to offload him.

“We wouldn't have sold him if he'd been a regular performer with us,” said the United boss. "There is no doubt that but for his injuries Louis had the talent to have a real impact here."

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