Larsson: I have to leave

March 07, 2007

Henrik Larsson

HENRIK Larsson insisted he must leave Manchester United next week despite sending them through to the last eight of the Champions League.

The veteran Swede headed the second-half winner as United beat Lille 1-0 at Old Trafford to progress 2-0 on aggregate.

The game was the last home game of Larsson's successful loan spell with United before he returns to Helsingborg for the start of the Swedish season.

Larsson told Sky Sports: "It has been great but we said all along that March 12 was the thing. The Swedish season starts on April 1 and it doesn't give them much time to get a replacement striker.

"I am very proud to have been part of this team but unfortunately I will be going home."

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was disappointed that Larsson would be leaving but felt there was little that could change his mind.

The Scot said: "He has been a credit to himself. His dedication to his job has never changed and it has been a real joy to have him.

"We would love him to stay but obviously he has made his promise to his family and Helsingborg and I think we should respect that - but I would do anything to keep him."

United midfielder Michael Carrick also paid tribute to the Swede. He told MUTV: "What he's done has been fantastic and I'm sure he'll be missed."

Meanwhile, Mikael Silvestre was taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder after he fell awkwardly during the game.

What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.

Articles

United 1 Lille 0 (United 2-0 on agg)

| Submit Comments | Comments (12) |

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karma2007, rochdale,greater manchester (08/03/2007 at 00:42)

henke please ask to stay for untill the end,thats all i ask,super goal and what a finish and set up by ronaldo (now the worlds greatest plyer and yes hes a man u fan,
i loved him praying facing the crowd,utter beleive hell stay now.
what next.......

arthurdawkins (08/03/2007 at 00:51)

Its now coming back to haunt
us !! The lack of new players
is a distgrace..We are down to bare bones now.And just for a few bob more i would
have said the Glory Days.Pre
Becks are back !! NOW !! let
us pray ??..You yanks in the
very near future..get your
dollars out ! Where is all that flair gone ?? poor stuff
recently..Here is hoping and
i am off to pray to Big Budda
Regards THAIART wow its hot
here....

Mohd Nazari (08/03/2007 at 08:41)

Henrik Larsson must be persuaded to stay with United. Bear in mind, Saha and Scholes couldn't play for a quite number of games. He love Manchester United, he must stay.

Alf For The Devils, Ipswich (08/03/2007 at 08:48)

It is time to remain calm and give all our support to Alan Smith to come and do the business for the next couple of months. We have to remember that Larsson and Saha has not been prolific in 2007 in terms of goals so i hope Smith will give us a good enough contribution in terms of chiping in with some goals and assists.Come on Fergie start with Smith and Larsson against Boro and have Rooney on the bench.

OK Balders (08/03/2007 at 09:19)

why not let them have Dong on loan then until Larsson can return after our season ends ?!!

edinburgh red, edinburgh (08/03/2007 at 10:28)

For about the 5th game now in a row we have got the result, but were awful, why play 4-5-1 and players out of position at home against a team that one goal against would put them almost out and sew up the tie quickly, also how come we packed our midfield yet they had loads of shots on our goals, carrick and o'shea (who was better) showed they cant handle the top level of football in midfield, I lost count of the passes back to the goalie or aimless punts up front to our isolated forward, oh and when is rooney ever going to recover his touch this season he breaks down quite a few attacks by his mis control or wayward passing. We really do need a performance to lift things as we are like a boxer with one good punch on the ropes the now.But on the plus side we are through and if we get a good draw we could progress, i reckon we will draw bayern.

Andy Bergen, Bergen, Norway (08/03/2007 at 11:00)

If the problem is Helsingborgs inability to find a replacement, it can be solved:

Currently sitting as fifth choice striker at my home team SK Brann Bergen is Robbie Winters, formerly of Aberdeen. He's been among the top strikers in the Norwegian league (probably a fraction better than the Swedish), but last season he and fellow Scot Charlie Miller started arguing with the coach, and stated they wanted to leave. Noone came in for Winters in january, so he stays as fifth choice, but is still available. And as he wouldn't cost more than £ 150 000 in transfer and wages, and the window is open till the end of march in Scandinavia, he would be the perfect solution in my view. Add to the fact he's used to Scandinavian life, is a huge Celtic-supporter who swapped jerseys with Henke in his last game for Helsingborg this autumn, and is desperate to play, he fits the bill I think.

And if this deal doesn't go through, there ought to be a few clubs ready to loan a striker in order to save wages, Watford or West Ham maybe. And in the Scandinavian market £ 500 000 of United's money would buy a decent striker, and that would be a good deal for United, Henke and Helsingborg, wouldn't it? So Fergie, please ask him again, and pay what it takes, cause we need him desperately at the moment!

Demo, Glossop (08/03/2007 at 11:28)

You have to admire Larssons devotion to sticking to his word. However surely they can find another striker for a month. Henke you are needed here and best suited with united.

Red Lou, Malta (08/03/2007 at 11:54)

He was brought it when we really did not need him. Ironically he is now leaving when we need him most. My opinion of Larsson is that he's the ideal 20 minute sub striker but at 35 he lacks the stamina to keep going for a full match. And IMO his inclusion in the team these past 2 months plus Saha's absence (forced or planned) were the main reasond for our loss of rhythm and lack of goals recently. Still thank you Henrick for trying your best, for your goal against Lille and for bringing to the team loads of good luck in these last matches..

Red Norse, Norway (08/03/2007 at 15:19)

Good idea Andy! I was thinking more in the lines of sending Dong oveer there, but he's been very faithful staying two years on loan. Winters would work out fine for Helsingborg.Don't let him leave, he clearly has mixed feelings about leaving now!

Steve, Great Britain (10/03/2007 at 13:47)

Its funny because some of the comments, were my own sentiment before I read them. Larsson came to us at a time we did not really need him. Although the team have achieved the results with him, the style and ryhthm of our play has been upset. Saha has gone off the boil because he has not been given that regular run out every striker needs.

I admire HL commitment to a deal, when so many players and managers in all the divisions, but mostly the premiership give up on their contracts so easily.

Like someone else said, why not loan Helsingborg one of our other strikers. There is Dong, Rossi and I am sure others who would benefit Helsingborg.

At a time when we need him because of injuries etc, he is leaving. What a shame. Lets hope that the striker crisis does not cost us the title.

SAFs RedKnight, Manchester (13/03/2007 at 12:19)

No denying the loan spell has been a great success. He has scored very important goals for us and has left his mark. Hopefully Rooney has learnt from him, because playing with a great player like Larson is bound to have help Rooney learn more.

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