Larsson skills wow Reds team-mates

February 07, 2007

HENRIK LARSSON: Swedish striker has made positive impact at United

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted veteran striker Henrik Larsson has produced tricks in training that have left even United's stellar names baffled.

In Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes United have three of the most gifted players in world football, but 35-year-old Larsson has already taught them a few lessons in his short spell at Old Trafford.

"I didn't expect anything else," Solskjaer told MUTV.

"We all know Henrik is a quality player. I have said before I think he is the best Scandinavian player since Michael Laudrup - and he has shown that in training and games.

"His touch is something we can all learn from.

"You never stop learning as a player and Henrik has done a few tricks in training that have had us all standing up and looking and saying 'we have not seen that before'."

Calls for United to keep Larsson beyond the present March 12 deadline have been long and loud, although so far both Ferguson and the Celtic legend continue to insist the present deal will be honoured.

Larsson is expected to start on Saturday when United look to maintain their six-point lead at the Premiership summit against relegation-threatened Charlton at Old Trafford.

Rooney is a doubt after being ruled out of England's friendly with Spain after suffering an injury at Tottenham last week, although with Louis Saha now back in action after a minor knock, Ferguson still has plenty of striking options available.

Which team would you send out against Charlton? Have your say.

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Alias Smith, over the moon (07/02/2007 at 14:43)

I would send a strong team out against Charlton, no question. They are fighting for PL survival and those are often the more difficult games in the latter stages of the season. Chelsea are also at home but in Boro have a much tougher game, so fingers crossed!

Birdy, Ireland (07/02/2007 at 14:50)

Larsson has been an excellent addition. A great stroke by SAF. I think for the Charlton game we should have Rooney but his feet up. This should be almost as straightforward as the Watford game. If hes carrying a knock we shouldnt risk him. If you cant rest players at home to Charlton then you never can. Larsson and Saha might be an interesting combination anyway so would be nice to see it given a try

khaled mahmood, bangladesh (07/02/2007 at 15:14)

Birdy, I disagree. It will only be a "masterstroke" if Larsson stays with us till the bitter, busy, hectic end. To send him back with 9 prem games left (thats 27 points to play for folks), is lunacy. He has been very good for us, but we desperately need this influence to the end. One injury to Saha (a likely scenario) after March 12th, and our season to end in disaster. Psycologically it would be a massive blow to wave him goodbye at such a crucial stage. Heres the rub: If we cant win in a tug of war with Helsingborgs, then what signal does THAT send out to a Terry and Cech bouyed Chelsea?

Mark, Stockport (07/02/2007 at 15:15)

United are going to regret not signing Larsson in the transfer window. The critical part of the season approaching, but just one month of Larsson's loan left and Saha is still injury prone!!

KEANO! THERE IS ONLY ONE KEANOO, PRESTON, LANCASHIRE (07/02/2007 at 15:25)

Khaled i have to say mate ur full of crap...simple as that...i dont think Larson leaving would do us that much damage...having said that I have to admit him staying would definately benefit us no doubt about that....but let me remind you that it was a fully fit saha and rooney (along with all the other member of the team)who brought us in the position that we are at the moment(ie six pts clear at the top) and to be quite honest with you i think if we can keep that lead come end of march the only tough game that we have after that will be Chelsea & City away and i think we can get a result at both places provided we maintain our formlike we have done all season (most of it without Larson).....

Birdy, Ireland (07/02/2007 at 15:38)

I'd be very surprised if the loan is not extended

Johansson, Sweden (07/02/2007 at 15:50)

HenkeÂ´s stay or not in united is not to do with Helsingborg or a question about money, its all about HenkeÂ´s credibility against his world of honour. After wold cup 2002 he told the Swedes that he was going to quit playing for the national team. No matter what people was saying, shouting or begging, he stand behind his decision until his son (Jordan) asked him to go back. So let us hope that Jordan ask his dad to stay in united until the end of may!

With PL, FA cup & CL games left to play, its important to have Rooney, Saha, Ole and Henke available for every single game to come. Mark my words!

Frank, Old Trafford (07/02/2007 at 16:04)

Does anyone know if that loan extension is possible outside the transfer window or is there some kind of UEFA rule?

Johansson, Sweden (07/02/2007 at 16:33)

The arrangement is based upon that United bought Henke from 1 st of January to 10 of march. After that Helsingborg is going to by him back, so is the contract written. If Henke is going to stay for example to the end of may, its just to set a new date for Helsingborg to buy him back. This is done because of the rules of UEFA. So, its no legal problems to keep him. Let us hope that Henke wants to stay, an be a member of the squad which is going to win the triple!!

George, RHYL (07/02/2007 at 16:43)

His influence has been great. His presence has eased the physical burden on our strikers. If he stays(without a transfer fee) fine.If he doesn't I hope he can make it back for the celebrations; if we are so lucky! DONG! Is he ready?

Liam, Manchester (07/02/2007 at 17:01)

Frank - I must admit that's a corker of a question and there probably isn't a hard and fast rule because most people tend to be loaned for the whole of the period that the transfer windows are closed. If someone confirms that he can't stay under the rules then that would put this debate to bed. Personally I think if he wants to stay for the run in then Helsingborgs would probably accept so it's probably going to be down to Henke.

terry, harrogate (07/02/2007 at 17:05)

Oh and hasn't rooney got a suspension coming up?

stu, london (07/02/2007 at 17:35)

Frank, the window only applies to transfers not to loans. You can loan players at any point of the season as I understand it.

Keith, Toronto (07/02/2007 at 17:45)

Start Heinze for a change and play Saha and Larsson upfront with the other usual suspects.

I think Larsson and Saha could intelligently link together.

Would be interesting to see Rooney try Scholes position if he was fit. Could be a good replacement for the great man soon when he quites.

Jax, Calgary, Canada (07/02/2007 at 19:45)

Kuszczak

O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic (sub Silvestre), Henize

Park, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs

Larsson, Solskjaer (sub Saha)

Not our strongest team but will get the job done. This is the period where every player needs some game.

Colin Frendo, Fgura, Malta (07/02/2007 at 21:07)

kusczak, neville (brown), ferdinand, vidic (silvestre), heinze, fletcher, carrick, scholes, richardson, larsson (solskjaer), saha

Jamie, Birmingham (07/02/2007 at 22:49)

Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Vidic, Heinze, C.Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Larsson, Saha

Peter, Someplace, Somewhere (07/02/2007 at 23:13)

If Larsson stays with United, he can't play for Helsingborg until july 1st (next transfer window). That means that he will miss the first eleven matches in the swedish league....

Why not make a deal with Helsingborg that includes a loan of a player (Smith?). Then it might be easier to keep Larsson until the end of the season...

COLIN, CANADA (07/02/2007 at 23:21)

If Rooney is fit then play him as he is suspended next week.
Rest Ronny and uncle Gary.

TMUF, Manchester (08/02/2007 at 01:12)

stu, london players have to be loaned in the transfer window too, well form Prem to Prem anyway I think. I know Pardew (or could have been Dowie) was saying Carson couldnt go back to Liverpool when Dudek was injured as it had to be in the transfer window. I know emergency loans are acceptable at any time as Kiraly joined Villa when Sorenson was injured. As for it being possible for Larrson to extend the loan, I would guess so. I am sure if that wasn't the case, the press, Larrson or Fergie would have stated reasons why it wasnt extended by the end of the transfer window, so logic tells me it is possible.

Mark, Salford (08/02/2007 at 01:38)

Kuschak, Brown, Vidic, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Scholes, Ronaldo, Giggs, Larrson, Saha.
Subs: O'shea, Evra, Park, Solkjaer

jonny, orlando (08/02/2007 at 03:13)

play the strongest team every game, we have a history of dropping points when saf starts messing about with team selection. Birdy what part of ireland u from ?

Frank, Old Trafford (08/02/2007 at 08:01)

Thanks Johansson and Stu. Jo, just one thing; this year we're going to win the treble and then in the pub we'll order a triple whisky or vodka. Well if Henke can stay then let's have him cos he's a much better option than Smith or Dong and even though Ole as a sub is fine if Saha or Roo get injured he's lightwieght and Henke is far better.

Niklas, Helsingborg, Sweden (08/02/2007 at 10:20)

Itâ€TMs probably up to Henrik. If Manchester United wants him for the rest of the season, Iâ€TMm pretty sure that Helsingborg will let him stay. They will of course demand economical compensation and/or a loan of a striker. Henrik Larsson is of course a very important player for Helsingborg but it is not in the clubs interest to make him come home if donâ€TMt want to.

chris, oxford (08/02/2007 at 10:51)

Agree with Jonny - we should start with our strongest team every game now and take people off when it's comfortable because we have seen what happens when we start with a weak side then try chasing the game when it's all gone TU. We are getting so close now, cant let the title slip away!

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