'I became a cult hero at Man Utd - then I asked Alex Ferguson to let me leave'

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to let him go.

on a permanent transfer.

The French player made a strong start with 32 goals in all competitions in his first season to help lift the west London club into the Premier League.

After three seasons in the top division with Fulham, Saha eventually caught the attention of Manchester United who were looking for a faster, more adaptable striker to strengthen their attacking lineup.

And while Fulham were initially hesitant to let him go, Saha eventually pushed for a move to Old Trafford in January 2004 by giving a deadline to sell, or he'd leave on a free transfer.

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‘It was a tough time, but when Sir Alex Ferguson rang and said, ‘I really like your style’, and, ‘You’re going to be part of a plan where it’s a bit of a transition period’. It was fantastic to see.’

Despite walking into a United dressing room that already had Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Diego Forlan as striking options, Saha still managed seven goals in 12 Premier League appearances in the first six months of his stint at the club.

However, the following season saw Saha pick up the first of several serious injuries which would ultimately come to characterise his time at United.

Saha scored only two goals in all competitions in that first full season in Ferguson's team, which had been starting to change with the signing of Wayne Rooney and the leaving of Roy Keane.

The next season was Saha's best in a United jersey – scoring 15 goals in all competitions – and by 2006/07, Saha and Rooney had become Ferguson's go-to goal-scoring duo.

Despite a promising start to the season, injuries have once again held him back and prevented him from being available for the major games.

And after another injury-plagued season the following year, which saw Saha miss United's Champions League final win in Moscow, the Frenchman knew it was time for a change of scenery.

‘It was absolutely gut-wrenching. That feeling will never fade away from me,’ Saha said about his decision to leave Manchester United and join Everton.

‘I left the club because I felt like I couldn’t give that kind of guarantee that this club needs for a centre-forward. Someone that should represent the link for those two players to develop. I couldn’t play those 15-20 games per season.’

‘When I missed out on the Champions League final, I couldn’t see myself in that situation again. So I got asked to go and it was really against my desire, almost. I wanted to stay for life but the club decided it was time for a change.’

After four years on the north of England, Saha had brief stints at Tottenham, Sunderland and Lazio before hanging up his boots in 2013.

The striker finished his playing career with 159 goals in 492 games, including a record of 42 goals in 124 games while playing for United.

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