Manchester United Football Club

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68174

Fergie hails Henrik swoop

01 Dec 2006 - 15:05:43

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is delighted to have secured the services of Swedish striker Henrik Larsson on a short-term loan.

The 35-year-old former Celtic legend will join the Red Devils from Helsingborgs in the New Year, before returning to Sweden in mid-March for the start of their new domestic season.

Ferguson commented: "I have always admired him.

"I made a move for him when he was at Celtic, but then they managed to persuade him to stay. He is a great player. It is a terrific bit of business for us.

"We are bringing someone in who can change a game. When you think back to the Champions League final, he was the one who won it for Barcelona when he came on.

"He can play wide right, wide left or up front. I am really happy we have got him.

"I would have liked to have signed him long ago, but I knew he wanted to go to Barcelona and then he went home."

Larsson himself had told a press conference at Helsingborgs: "I will go over there to play as much as possible, but I have no idea of how Ferguson wants to use me.

"We will see how much playing time there will be. Am I a back-up? Yes, at the beginning. Then you will see what I can contribute and how things are going."