“On arrival at United, he seemed a bit of a cult figure with our players. They would say his name in awed tones.”
Hearing that about a veteran Manchester United striker, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was the current manager discussing Edinson Cavani.
But on this occasion, it was Sir Alex Ferguson explaining Henrik Larsson’s impact at Carrington.
Signed on just a two-month loan deal at the start of 2007, the Swede earned cult status during his short stay under Fergie.
He managed only three goals, but as the Scot detailed in his autobiography, it was his presence away from matches that had an even greater impact.
“For a man of 35, his receptiveness to information on the coaching side was amazing,” Ferguson wrote.
“At every session he was rapt. He wanted to listen to Carlos Queiroz, the tactics lectures, he was into every nuance of what we did. In training he was superb, his movement, his positional play. His three goals for us was no measure of his contribution.
“Cult status can vanish in two minutes if a player isn’t doing his job yet Henrik retained that aura. He looked a natural Man United player with his movement and courage. He also had a great spring for a little lad.”
Following his final game as a Red Devil, Larsson was given a standing ovation by his teammates and despite a concerted effort from manager and players alike, he kept his promise to Swedish minnows Helsingborg and made the move.
When it came to player persuasion, Fergie usually got his way and not doing so on this occasion was something that gnawed at him.
Speaking after his departure, he said: “He’s been fantastic for us, his professionalism, his attitude, everything he’s done has been excellent.
“We would love him to stay but, obviously, he has made his promise to his family and Helsingborg and I think we should respect that – but I would have done anything to keep him.”
Similarly to Larsson, Cavani has made his presence known in a short time, both on the pitch – scoring six Premier League goals – and off it.
Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have all spoken about his attitude in training and how he is inspiring others to match his levels.
His 12-month move to Old Trafford is proving to be a deal that has suited all parties, but revelations from his homeland suggest it could be a spell short lived.
The player’s father Luis, has claimed his son could move back to South America to be closer to his family and isn’t entirely comfortable in England.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he would like the player to stay, but as of yet, talks haven’t really began.
Ferguson identified the intangible presence a player like Larsson – or Cavani for that matter – could bring. Solskjaer will hope he doesn’t have the same regrets at the start of next season.
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