Gary Neville hopes United can now go on a long winning run, with Louis Saha making a goalscoring return against Sunderland, Cristiano Ronaldo now free from suspension and Wayne Rooney’s comeback from injury reportedly not far off.

Owen Hargreaves has assessed the season so far, and is looking forward to getting on the pitch with Ronaldo and Rooney - something he hasn't been able to do yet because of injury and suspensions.

"Any time you don't have players like Louis, Wayne and Cristiano it is difficult. They are three of the best players in England," said Owen.

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Louis Saha for changing the game in United's favour on Saturday. Louis came on at half time and grabbed the only goal of the match.

"Louis Saha made the obvious difference when he came on," Ferguson said.

"He gives us strength and penetration and he got us the goal. I didn't want to start with him but at half-time I thought he was needed.

Louis Saha has admitted it felt great to score (for the first time in 5 months) on Saturday.

"It was a great feeling to score, but the most important thing was to win because we couldn't allow the gap [between United and the top four teams] to get any bigger," he told Setanta Sports.

"It's not just about my goal though, I thought the whole team played brilliantly in the second half.

Manchester United managed to break down a stubborn Sunderland to record a second successive 1-0 victory.

Roy Keane, on his return to Old Trafford, had his Sunderland side organised and solid but on 70 minutes the deadlock was finally broken by French striker Louis Saha.

United winger Nani whipped in a corner and the powerful striker got himself in front of Craig Gordon to head home.