Manchester United tried their best to tie down one former star to a longer deal, but their efforts ultimately proved in vain
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester United have dipped into the loan market in January for aging strikers on multiple occasions in the past few years.
Indeed, Wout Weghorst and Odion Ighalo have both arrived at Old Trafford on short term deals, in 2020 and 2023, respectively. While both were fine, neither ripped up trees for Manchester United.
However, things worked a lot better in 2007 when Sir Alex Ferguson decided to bring in a 35-year-old Henrik Larsson to add depth to Manchester United's depleted striking department.
Larsson had a successful stint at United (Image credit: Getty Images)
Then at Helsinborg, Sweden's Allsvenskan was in its off-season. A two-month loan deal for Larsson, therefore, made perfect sense, despite him being in the twilight of his career.
“When the call came, I didn’t hesitate – I had finished the league season in Sweden and it was perfect to go on loan for a few months, "Larsson tells FourFourTwo. "It always helps when you score on your debut.
"Going to an iconic club like United when I was older, but still ready to compete at the highest level, was great. I only played 13 games, but because I always gave 100 per cent of myself, the supporters appreciated my commitment, my tireless effort and my passion for playing.
"After two years at Barcelona and scoring goals at 35 for United, it was hard for people to doubt me any more. Those things shut a few people up.”
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Ferguson attempted to keep Larsson for longer, but was ultimately unsuccessful (Image credit: Getty Images)
Though he only managed three goals in 13 appearances, Larsson's impact on the team was much more than goals. So much so, that Manchester United were eager to extend the loan deal.
Unfortunately for them, Larsson stated that he had made a promise to his family and Helsinborg to return on 12 March - leaving United in the lurch for the remainder of the campaign.
While he stayed true to his word with the Swedish side and his family, there's certainly a part of him that would've preferred to continue playing at Old Trafford.
“That’s probably the only regret I have in my career. I should have stayed and enjoyed the Premier League. Manchester United were happy with my work, I was a respected person in the dressing room, and they would probably have offered me a season’s renewal.”
Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
