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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.
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.”
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.”
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