Saha exploded on to the Old Trafford scene immediately after his move from Fulham in January last year, netting six times in his first seven appearances.

Since then, the 26-year-old has been plagued by fitness problems, initially an Achilles injury that refused to go away, followed by a succession of knee knocks, all of which were picked up on international duty.

“I am just hoping Louis can now have a decent run of fitness,” said Ferguson.

“He deserves that bit of luck.

“The disappointment for us is that he has never been injured with us, it has always been with France.

“Now it is important he gets a full run of staying fit and playing matches. That is what he needs.”

Saha’s return could not be better timed as Ferguson looks for an answer to United’s uncharacteristic goalscoring weakness.

With seven games of the campaign remaining, United have found the net on only 48 occasions and look set to post their worst seasonal total in 14 years.

Despite boasting a £65million strikeforce, none of Ferguson’s players have reached double figures in the league, with Wayne Rooney top marksman on nine.

“I cannot understand it myself,” said Ferguson of the bewildering statistic.

“We have missed a lot of chances and Ruud van Nistelrooy has been out for a long period but still, it is so unusual.

“If you look at our goals tally over the last decade it has been fantastic.

“There have been seasons when we have scored almost double the number we have at the moment.

“Forty-eight goals is not good enough for us but hopefully this run will end at the end of the season and we can get back to what we are normally good at - scoring goals.”

Saha could replace van Nistelrooy, who has failed to spark in six appearances since his return from a long-term Achilles injury.

Phil Neville is expected to be handed a midfield berth as skipper Roy Keane is one caution away from a two-match suspension which would rule him out of next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final with Newcastle.

It is the Magpies encounter rather than the Canaries trip which has attracted the attention of most United fans.

But Ferguson knows three points are required against Nigel Worthington’s relegation-threatened side if his team are to keep the pressure on Arsenal in the battle for second.

The Red Devils chief is already resigned to missing out on the title for the second successive season despite heading to Norwich on a 20-game unbeaten run and having suffered just two losses all season.

“It is not an unfair situation,” he said.

“You have to give credit to Chelsea because they have had an exceptional season.

“They have won 16 games 1-0, which may never happen again, and you would not bet against them winning the next seven 1-0 either.”