Everton striker Louis Saha has admitted he was troubled mentally during his time at Manchester United.

The Frenchman endured an injury-ravaged spell with the Red Devils and said that the mental challenge of trying to constantly get back to full fitness as well as keeping the club and the fans happy took its toll on him.

"Today, when I think about that period, I laugh. But it is true that at that time I was depressed,” he told L’Equipe.

"In the eyes of my United team-mates and fans, I felt there was some worry each time I came back from injury.

"They were scared I would suffer a relapse, so I worried more."

Saha has found some form with the Toffees but insists that the trust and respect he has won from his teammates and the fact he is injury-free is more important than scoring goals.

“Frankly, I don't care about the goals," he added. "What I enjoy is the training with the other players and having the same feelings as my team-mates and I don't ask myself if I will experience a new injury.

"Before, I had the feeling that I was different from the others. It is not the case anymore.

"Still being on the pitch after so many injuries proves I am mentally strong. I am one of the miraculously saved players.

Louis Saha says he does not want to leave Everton despite interest from Turkish side Besiktas.

The 30-year-old France striker has endured another injury-hit campaign and Besiktas revealed this week that they were hoping to tempt the player away from Goodison Park.

However, Saha feels that he owes David Moyes a debt after he brought him to the club from Manchester United last summer and he says has no intention of moving on.

“I haven’t been contacted by anyone,” he told the French media.

“I want to repay Everton and David Moyes for giving me my chance.

“Unless he decides to sell me, I cannot see myself leaving.”

Louis Saha says he does not want to leave Everton despite interest from Turkish side Besiktas.

The 30-year-old France striker has endured another injury-hit campaign and Besiktas revealed this week that they were hoping to tempt the player away from Goodison Park.

However, Saha feels that he owes David Moyes a debt after he brought him to the club from Manchester United last summer and he says has no intention of moving on.

“I haven’t been contacted by anyone,” he told the French media.

“I want to repay Everton and David Moyes for giving me my chance.

“Unless he decides to sell me, I cannot see myself leaving.”

Everton striker Louis Saha has affirmed that he is keen to produce more of the high-quality displays of which he knows he is capable, after another frustrating season spent battling injury.

The Frenchman recently returned from a two-and-a-half month lay-off with a hamstring injury, and, although he flashed signs of his form flickering to life in the eight substitute appearances and three starts he has made since his comeback, he is aware that the supporters are still waiting for him to blossom in a blue shirt.

"I do think that I can give a lot, lot more," the former Manchester United man told the Toffees' official website.

"It's been a season with a bit of frustration, but I've managed to feature in most games so I am happy with it. But as a striker we want more goals and more assists, and that's what I'm looking for."

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Louis Saha has been out for action for Everton since being stretchered off during the Toffees' 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur back in November.

However, The Liverpool Echo is today reporting that the Frenchman, who moved across Lancashire from Manchester United in the summer, could be ready to make his return, and has pencilled in this weekend's FA Cup fifth round tie with Aston Villa as a potential date for his comeback.

Saha had initially hoped that his lay-off would be for a mere two to three weeks. However, further scans revealed some serious damage to the muscle, and his rehabilitation time stretched into months.

Striker Louis Saha believes he is beginning to show Everton signs of the form he is capable of.

The 30-year-old French international scored his first goal for Everton in their 1-0 win against Fulham at Goodison Park on Saturday.

"I'm doing a bit better, it's a bit slower then I expected but I'm still happy," Saha told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Things are going in the right direction and that is the main thing for me."

After signing for David Moyes' men on transfer deadline day in August in a two-year pay-as-you-play deal, Saha endured a spell on the sidelines with a calf problem.

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Everton boss David Moyes intends to wrap striker Louis Saha in cotton wool to try to bring the best out of him this season.

Saha made an eye-catching Everton debut as a half-time substitute on Sunday, playing an influential role as the Toffees fought back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw at Hull.

Moyes said: "He made a difference to the way we played, I'm glad to get him out. I think if I had started him he would have been happy, but I felt the best way was to bring him on slowly.

"I said when we signed him if we could get him fit for at least half the games this season, I'm sure he could win us some points - that's what we're hoping for. He's gone about his work well and quietly, there's no doubt there is a very talented footballer there.

"Everybody I have spoken to has told me that and there were signs for half a game that he can offer us that.

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his Manchester United side to bounce back from their Premier League defeat at Liverpool.

The Red Devils only have a few days to lick their wounds following the Anfield reverse before they begin the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown. Villarreal are the visitors to Old Trafford on Wednesday night in the first match of a group phase which also features Celtic and Danish side Aalborg.

The Scot laid into his players in the wake of their weekend setback, when defensive blunders handed Liverpool both of their goals in a 2-1 triumph for Rafa Benitez's men.

But Ferguson expects his team will have already moved on by Wednesday night and has already set his sights on qualifying for the knockout phase.

"You have to recover, that's the name of the game," Ferguson said.

"It's the Champions League and I think we are in a good group and I think we have a good chance of qualifying. The way I look at the Champions League is to get to 10 points. If you get that you know you have qualified and you can look forward to February when it really starts to kick in."