December 1 – Fergie Drafts in Reinforcements
MOST football transfers are so protracted and take so long from initial rumour to completion that everyone is just mind-numbingly bored of the whole thing by the time it actually takes place. Take Dimitar Berbatov for example. Manchester United wanted the player, the player wanted to go and these days that means the only thing the selling club really have any say in is over the price. But the thing went on and on for the entire summer which gave plenty of fodder for Sky Sports News presenters talking in serious voices trying to add gravitas to stories that, when all is said and done, are about a game. “In the next hour, we bring you the latest on the Berbatov saga,” they would intone, as if there actually was any latest news to bring, other than yet another former pro saying how well the Bulgarian would fit into the Man United team.
Tiresome in the extreme. But today, an important loan deal was announced completely out of the blue, which no doubt had SSN’s yellow rolling news bar whipped into a frenzy.
Manchester United announced on this day in 2006 that they would be taking Swedish hotshot Henrik Larsson on loan for three months in January. The move took everyone by surprise and proved Fergie still has the odd trick or two stuffed up the sleeve of his blazer.
After seven years at Celtic where he was able to score virtually in his sleep, he had gone to Barcelona for two seasons where, among other things, he won them the European Cup, coming on as a sub in the final against Arsenal and setting up both goals in a 2-1 win.
Most of the world thought this would be his last act in top level football as he then retired to Sweden and re-signed for his hometown club Helsingborg to live out his footballing dotage.
The Fergie made his move. The United boss had worries up front with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer injured and Alan Smith not match fit which left just Rooney and Louis Saha as his only strikers.
Ferguson said: “I have always admired Larsson. 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. We won’t be going for any other strikers. We have exhausted all avenues and this, without doubt, is the best option.”
Commentators were falling over themselves to praise the move and most thought Fergie had pulled a masterstroke and stolen a march on his rivals by luring the hitman into his team.
Larsson said: “United have been after me before, after the first or second season with Celtic. It feels good to come and play for such a big club. I may not start every match, but it feels like a fun thing.”
It must have felt like fun on his debut at Old Trafford when, true to script, Larsson scored in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. In all the Swede started ten matches for the Red Devils, getting on the score sheet three times but his influence on the club’s season was palpable as his class meant he immediately slotted into the team and gave them a much-needed mid season boost as they rode to the title.
As his three month loan deal wound down, Fergie tried to persuade Larsson to stay but to no avail. “I’m not saying that I’m not flattered or grateful to get the opportunity to extend my stay but there are other things I need to think about,” he said. “The Swedish season starts at the end of March. I need to get back for it.” And that’s exactly what he did, bringing to a close one of the most unexpected and brilliant cameos of recent times.
Also on this day, there was strike action in the air, but don’t panic, not from us so come back tomorrow for your daily OTFD fix, and have a gander below at Larsson’s United goals.
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- May 31 – Fergie Fired Alex Ferguson "has no managerial ability." Not our words, but...
- March 13 – Diouf Goes Spitting Mad Sha la la la la la la la Diouf Diouf...
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vince on December 1st, 2008
no ratings yet top class player