Larsson is the best, says Solskjaer

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is in no doubt that in Henrik Larsson Manchester United have signed the finest Scandinavian footballer of his generation.

United were indebted to Norwegian Solskjaer for the late winner on Sunday, after Swedish striker Larsson had marked his debut with the opening goal against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round.

But Old Trafford evergreen forward Solskjaer does not even hint he is in the same bracket as his new team-mate.

“Henrik Larsson is the best player we have had in Scandinavia since Michael Laudrup,” he said.

“He continues to get better, and it was important for the manager to see what kind of shape he was in because he hadn’t played for a while.

“I do not think he was disappointed.”

There are already calls for United to extend Larsson’s loan deal beyond March until the end of the season, and his club Helsingborg have indicated they could be willing to negotiate.

French defender Patrice Evra is another who has no doubt at all that Larsson is a special player.

“I am very happy for him that he scored because he is a good man,” he said.

“He wants to work for the team and has good experience.

“Henrik is a big player, and you can see he has lots of qualities. Every time he touched the ball he caused problems for the other team.”

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is understood to be trying to tempt Larsson out of international retirement.

His country’s FA chairman Lars-Ake Lagrell told Aftonbladet: “There have been talks with “Henke.” I cannot say exactly what these discussions involved.

“Obviously it would be fantastic news if Henke decided to play for the national team again.

“But I’m not so sure — I think Henke has made his mind up.”

Meanwhile, United are looking to overcome Martin O’Neill’s Villa again on Saturday, and complete a double in the Barclays Premiership.

They won the first fixture at a canter — 3-0 — but Evra insists it will not be easy this time around.

He said: “Villa caused us some problems in the FA Cup game and are a good team. We have to be ready.”

That theme was echoed by manager Alex Ferguson, who said: “It will be a tough game, because Martin has them galvanised — no question about that.”

While goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar looks likely to replace Tomasz Kuszczak, Ferguson had some words of comfort for the Polish rookie after his display against Villa.

The Old Trafford boss said: “It was important he got some experience before the European matches.

“He did well — it was a decent performance by the boy.”

Meanwhile Juventus coach Didier Deschamps has revealed an interest in Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze to help boost their bid for promotion back to Serie A.

The 28-year-old Argentinian moved to Old Trafford from Paris St Germain in the summer of 2004, but has found himself playing second fiddle to Patrice Evra this season.

Deschamps is hoping to lead Juve back into the Italian top flight at the first attempt following their enforced relegation in the wake of the match-fixing scandal.