Sir Alex Ferguson and the Manchester United logo (Photo by Richard Heathcote, Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed a surprising player he wished he could have kept longer at Manchester United, a player who remains a cult hero among fans.
Many younger Manchester United fans may not fully appreciate just how impactful Henrik Larsson was during his brief two-month loan spell at Old Trafford.
Larsson is best known for his prolific years at Celtic, where he scored an astonishing 242 goals in just seven seasons. Despite his success, it wasn’t until 2004 that he moved to a top-tier club in a more competitive league, joining Barcelona.
At Barcelona, Larsson continued to shine, netting 22 goals in two seasons and playing a pivotal role in their Champions League victory in his final appearance for the club.
Thierry Henry Praises Henrik Larsson After Champions League Final
In the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal, Larsson proved decisive, coming off the bench to assist both of Barcelona’s goals. His performance earned high praise from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
“All the time you talk about Ronaldinho and everything, but I didn’t see him today,” Henry said after the match. “I saw Henrik Larsson two times after he came on – that was the key of the game. Talk about the proper people who make a difference, and that was Henrik Larsson tonight.”
After his Champions League triumph, Larsson returned to Sweden to play for Helsingborg, where he spent four more seasons. However, during this time, he received a call from Sir Alex Ferguson, who sought his services during the 2006/07 season for a short two-month loan.
In his brief stint at United, Larsson made 13 appearances, scoring three goals. Despite the limited time, he quickly became a fan favourite and earned the respect of his teammates.
Ferguson’s Regret Over Not Keeping Larsson
Speaking about Larsson’s impact, Ferguson said: “I would have done anything to keep him. His three goals for us were no measure of his contribution. In his last game at Middlesbrough, we were winning 2-1, and Henrik dropped back into midfield and ran his heart out. When he returned to the dressing room, all the players stood up and applauded him, and the staff joined in. It takes a special player to make that kind of impact in two months.”
A testament to Ferguson’s astute and often underrated signings!
