Saha supershow piles pressure on Chelsea

Such a partnership is long overdue. Van Nistelrooy has never enjoyed the luxury of a regular running mate of sufficient quality, and now that he has been handed one the full potential of both players should be realised.

Ferguson said: 'We're looking forward to the partnership flourishing. They've only played a few games together but there's a great goal threat there, and that's pleasing.

'Hopefully, next season will bring us even more.'

Last night, in a relatively meaningless Premiership fixture, Saha was outstanding. His pace and movement troubled a Charlton team famed for defensive organisation, while the quality of his finishing was appropriate for a player who has now scored seven goals in eight Premiership starts for United.

He had already spurned one opportunity in the first half, when Van Nistelrooy played him through then watched him lose control, but when David Bellion offered him a second chance in the 28th minute he was anything but wasteful.

Bellion's run itself was worthy of note as the young forward scampered down the left, and when he slid the ball into Saha's path, the striker drilled the ball under the advancing Dean Kiely.

For United it was a timely goal.

Struggling for form and fluency since their Herculean effort in beating Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, Ferguson's team had been territorially impressive but had only occasionally looked like scoring until Saha struck.

Once in front, there was never any likelihood the lead would be lost. And when United made the game safe midway through the second half, Saha was involved again.

Receiving possession 30 yards out, he spotted the advancing Gary Neville to his right without even appearing to lift his head. The pass was perfectly weighted and Neville strode on to it to score his sixth United goal - and second in a week - across Kiely, low into the corner.

Yet, apart from the performance of Saha and another collector's item from Neville, there was little to remember from last night's efforts.

Of note, however, was the return of Van Nistelrooy after injury and the reappearance in goal of the American Tim Howard. Roy Carroll has enjoyed a run of just six matches and it would now appear Howard has an FA Cup Final to look forward to.

He was hardly troubled last night. Charlton played with little urgency and not until late on did they go close as Shaun Bartlett headed a Claus Jensen cross against a post. Their manager, Alan Curbishley, said: 'We never really threatened. We had as much ball as we've ever had at Old Trafford but we frittered it away.'