Boss: Brighter times ahead

Sir Alex Ferguson has given United fans further good news on the back of the club's first Barclays Premier League win in 2007/08.

Speaking after Sunday's narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds boss revealed both Louis Saha and Anderson should be involved when Sunderland visit Old Trafford. The latter has yet to play for United competitively due to a hamstring problem.

"I think Louis Saha will be available for next Saturday's game, and Anderson will definitely be fit," said Sir Alex.

"We've got other players to come back, too. Gary Neville is a couple of weeks away, so we're getting there. There are also new players settling into the team, like Nani and Tevez.

"It's never easy coming to United when teams are so revved up to play against us. It is not going to be easy for them and they need time to settle. We have to be patient."

Sir Alex will hope the imminent additions of Anderson and Saha will address United's uncharacteristic problems in attack - prior to Nani's stunning winner against Spurs, the Reds had failed to score in 233 minutes of football.

"I thought we lacked a bit of confidence in the early part of the match," admitted Sir Alex. "I think the players were anxious, because the expectation is high here.

"But once the first ten minutes were over, it was a reasonable performance from us, not brilliant, not as good as in previous games.

"What was required during the second half and right through the game was to dig in, play with great commitment and show the right discipline to win a football match. 1-0 was a great scoreline today simply because it was going to be a difficult game anyway.

"I can look on today as the first time this season that we've had a little break. Hopefully it will give us the confidence to enjoy our football and we can now go on a long run."