Manchester United striker Louis Saha has called for a section of the club's supporters to back him rather than pine for the departed Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Despite having proved his quality this season in impressing alongside Wayne Rooney, Saha feels that several of the United faithful still make unfavourable comparisons with his former team-mate.
The French international, who currently tops the club's scoring charts, believes he has adequately filled the somewhat daunting void left by van Nistelrooy's switch to Real Madrid in the summer.
Having scored 12 goals already this season, Saha is in line to top his best ever tally for a campaign and with this in mind, he has called for total support from the Old Trafford crowd.
"It is not good for me that if I have a bad spell or make a mistake there are sections of the crowd who let me know about it," Saha told the News of the World.
"If I have a bad 20 minutes they start singing Ruud's name and of course it doesn't make me feel good.
"Ruud is a legend at United and taking his place wasn't easy - it still isn't.
"It was a big step-up coming to United but I have done my best and I happy with my contribution to the team.
"At United the pressure is always there. You're not playing for a mid-table place. Of course it makes you raise your game.
"You must perform to keep your place. That is what I am trying to do and hopefully I am doing okay."
saha can NEVER replace van the man. period.