Sir Alex Ferguson says he must be patient to get the best out of Louis Saha.
The 29-year-old forward started only his fourth game of the season in the 2-1 Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon.
Sir Alex looks set to recall Wayne Rooney from injury to partner Carlos Tevez up front against Fulham on Monday. But it's all part of the long-term aim of getting more out of French front man over the course of the season.
Saha was outstanding for the first half of the 2006/07 campaign, but as injuries took their toll he started just four games after the turn of the year.
At full tilt, there are few better strikers of Saha's style, which is why Sir Alex is being so careful in his approach.
"Louis' last full game before the match at Bolton was last December," said the Reds boss. "So you have to take that into consideration before talking about touch and confidence.
"He needs games, but it's difficult with the situation he is in with injuries. We have to be careful, but he felt great against Sporting and that's encouraging."