Swede goodbye for United

March 05, 2007

LARSSON celebrates a goal

HENRIK Larsson will return to Helsingborg as planned next week even though Manchester United might be facing a striker shortage.

The former Barcelona striker arrived on loan in January and has played an important role for United, scoring on his debut against Aston Villa and featuring in three competitions for the club.

With England striker Wayne Rooney set to have a scan on his injured knee following the victory at Liverpool at the weekend, Larsson's experience could be valuable for Sir Alex Ferguson's side as they face an important series of matches.

United are hoping for a encouraging report on Rooney, given that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is already out for a month after knee surgery.

But even if the 21-year-old, who sustained the injury after a wayward challenge from international team-mate Jamie Carragher, is facing a spell on the sidelines there is no chance of Larsson prolonging his stay in England.

According to Helsingborg coach Stuart Baxter there has been no approach from Old Trafford to try and extend Larsson's loan deal.

Last game

The Swedish striker, who scored a second United goal in the 4-0 demolition of Watford, is set to play his last game for the club against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Baxter told Radio Manchester: "There has not been a first approach from United (to extend the deal) let alone a new one.

"Everyone is aware of the situation.

"Henrik is on record saying the original deal will hold.

"It was done in good faith allowing Henrik to stay fit through the winter and allowing United to have an extra player so they could give others a rest."

Baxter added: "As a professional, I understand in a perfect world it would be nice for Henrik to stay.

"But that would not go down well with our club and it is not in Henrik's plans either."

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Mick, Dublin (05/03/2007 at 12:52)

He's gone. No news there. It's been clear for weeks now that Henke was gonna honour the original deal. I must admit, I'm bricking it about Wazza's scan. Losing him and Ole for a month or so in the run-in would be more than most teams could cope with (imagine Chavski without Drogba and Kalou?) The only thing taking the edge off my nerves was the performance of Smudger for the reserves last week. He's never been very mobile but he was doing really well at dropping deep, getting hold of the ball and playing some lovely through-balls to the second striker or attacking midfielders. Which is basically the same role that Rooney likes to play (only Rooney can also play on the shoulder of the last defender and/or use his pace on the counter-attack) I actually think a fit Alan Smith could be a good foil for Saha. And I think we'll see the two of them playing together before the season's out.

de Meester, netherlands (05/03/2007 at 13:15)

This is indeed a great shame!
If it is so that United have not even approched them, Helsinborgs over an extension of loan to may then United are not telling the truth.
A GREAT SHAME!!!
Thanks very much Henryk and Bon voyage!

Southern Red (05/03/2007 at 14:34)

Disappointed he wasn't able to do much on Saturday, but thankful for the last 2 months. Look forward to saying goodbye on Wednesday. Concerned upfront with Ole and possibly Wayne. Hope Mick, Dublin is right about Smith as its gone very quiet about him and Dong lately.

Keane was right Sell Ronny (05/03/2007 at 15:10)

De Meester mate - why do you keep sayinng 'shame United havent approached Helsingborg' ?? There is no deal to be done here. Larsson is going because HE WANTS TO GO ! not because United cant be bothered about him. Saha needs games from the kick-off although I do agree that the age and composition of our strike force was a cause for concern from day 1 - let's hope Rooney is fit!!!

Gerry, Glastonbury (05/03/2007 at 15:19)

Larsson has done a good job for us but has faded as time has gone by and he has been unable to maintain the high standard he set originally.
Hope he can contribute before he leaves but the 'refreshed ' Saha should play now unless of course Wayne is out.

Steve in Brussels (05/03/2007 at 15:21)

Cheers Henrik, you have contributed well in your short time to hopefully return the title to OT. I had a feeling the likes of Smudger, O Shea and Fletcher would have a part to play this season being the ones that (usually) take the most stick. I am not too worried about Rooney and I think there has been no news yet primarily to keep Lille guessing. Still he could miss 1 or 2 games and if that is at the same time as Scholes we could have a problem (How could he have been so stupid to do that on 85 mins with his experience?). If so he will probably tuck Giggs in midfield behind Saha with Ronie in roving roles with Carrick/O Shea/ Fletch in a disciplined holding role. We have some tricky fixtures coming up so hopefully we will not be disrupted too much. Thank God we have not lost Ronaldo to an injury and must pray that Saha stays fit for the remainder

karma2007, rochdale,greater manchester (05/03/2007 at 17:41)

lets give saha the games hes been wanting now and watch him get better and better.

Davey Boy, Kuwait (06/03/2007 at 08:58)

Personally I believe the henrik experiment has been detrimental to the team....before everyone gets all up in arms, he was a great player and will still have something to offer helsingborg. He is an intelligent footballer and I think he realises he can't do it at this level, think about it forget the money this united side despite everyone moaning is going well in 3 major competitions with more than a distinct possibility of major honours for a couple more months work....who wouldn't want to be a part of that!!!!
Really he should have been used more as an impact sub in the latter part of games when tiredness sets in, thankfully with saha having a minor injury he was able to cover however the fluidity of our attack was with saha and rooney.....with these 2 and ronaldo we will have a successful season, after all that trio put us where we are today... so thanks for coming and wish him all the best, but he has made the right decision!

bobbydazzler (06/03/2007 at 09:19)

steve you suggest that giggs will fill in in midfield during scholes abscence and i happen to agree with you. does this not suggest that saf does not really trust our dynamic duo??

Mick, Dublin (06/03/2007 at 09:24)

Davey Boy, I agree that we probably play better football with Wayne and Saha up front. In fact, I've been wondering whether our recent "blip" might have been the loss of Louis' pace and movement up front? But I think Larsson did very well for us and you can't underestimate how much fresher Saha will be for the run-in, having only played a few minutes here and there since Christmas.

Frank Old Trafford (06/03/2007 at 10:17)

That is exactly what I was thinking, Davey! What has Henke brought to United, a steady decline in the quality of our play to the point that would not even be tolerated at eastlands.

Mick, Dublin (06/03/2007 at 11:26)

Jeez, Frank, that's a bit harsh - steady on! Even a team consisting of 11 Darren Fletchers would play samba football compared to the dross that's been served up at Eastlands.

chris, oxford (06/03/2007 at 13:22)

Hehe Mick, I can just imagine a 'gaggle' of Fletchers chasing round the pitch tripping each other up - it would be like a very surreal Keystone Cops!

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