Saturday, March 17, 2007
Gold warns clubs to mind the gap
Gold warns clubs to mind the gap
Watch more of the interview...Football FocusSat 17 Mar, from 1210 GMTBirmingham City chairman David Gold warns the widening gap between Premiership clubs and the rest could render relegation meaningless.
A new television deal will give Premiership clubs at least £30m a year.
In Saturday's Football Focus, Gold says: "The gap between relegated clubs and the Championship is the big issue.
"You could have a situation where the three clubs relegated from the Premiership will be the three promoted the next season."
Gold's fears are echoed by Oldham chief executive Alan Hardy, who says clubs outside the Premiership are finding it increasingly difficult to compete.
Hardy warns: "It's getting perilously close to putting some clubs out of business.
Frankly, we don't want to be on television
Birmingham chairman David Gold
"The Premier League has got to be prepared to make sure that football as we know it, with 92 professional clubs, continues to thrive.
"But at the moment, football is struggling in the lower divisions."
Premiership spokesman Dan Johnson claims that more money will be distributed to clubs lower down through the Premier League's development fund.
He says: "There will be more money than ever before at every single level of the game.
"But this is more of a structural problem than a financial one. Even if you shrunk that gap significantly there will still be a gap and issues for clubs who are promoted and relegated. More often with the clubs who are relegated."
"This is something that's been levelled at the Premiership for the past nine years because of the size of the deals that we have done, that there would be yo-yo clubs."
Gold also claims the current live television deal with Football League clubs is not helping and said: "Frankly, we don't want to be on television.
"One of our games was screened live on television recently and we received £60,000. We were 10,000 fans down on the day and we lost money. That can't be right."
Watch more of the interivew on Saturday's Football Focus - 1210 GMT on BBC ONE.
Watch more of the interview...Football FocusSat 17 Mar, from 1210 GMTBirmingham City chairman David Gold warns the widening gap between Premiership clubs and the rest could render relegation meaningless.
A new television deal will give Premiership clubs at least £30m a year.
In Saturday's Football Focus, Gold says: "The gap between relegated clubs and the Championship is the big issue.
"You could have a situation where the three clubs relegated from the Premiership will be the three promoted the next season."
Gold's fears are echoed by Oldham chief executive Alan Hardy, who says clubs outside the Premiership are finding it increasingly difficult to compete.
Hardy warns: "It's getting perilously close to putting some clubs out of business.
Frankly, we don't want to be on television
Birmingham chairman David Gold
"The Premier League has got to be prepared to make sure that football as we know it, with 92 professional clubs, continues to thrive.
"But at the moment, football is struggling in the lower divisions."
Premiership spokesman Dan Johnson claims that more money will be distributed to clubs lower down through the Premier League's development fund.
He says: "There will be more money than ever before at every single level of the game.
"But this is more of a structural problem than a financial one. Even if you shrunk that gap significantly there will still be a gap and issues for clubs who are promoted and relegated. More often with the clubs who are relegated."
"This is something that's been levelled at the Premiership for the past nine years because of the size of the deals that we have done, that there would be yo-yo clubs."
Gold also claims the current live television deal with Football League clubs is not helping and said: "Frankly, we don't want to be on television.
"One of our games was screened live on television recently and we received £60,000. We were 10,000 fans down on the day and we lost money. That can't be right."
Watch more of the interivew on Saturday's Football Focus - 1210 GMT on BBC ONE.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Liverpool v Man Utd
Liverpool host Manchester United on Saturday and ex-Anfield midfielder Jan Molby highlights the players who will make-or-break the game.
Liverpool and their fans will relish the opportunity to make life difficult for Manchester United as they see their fierce rivals closing in on the Premiership.
The Reds are not going to win the Premiership and it is now a means to an end to get back into the Champions League.
But this is still such a big game that I can see Liverpool, with a clear week to prepare, fielding their strongest team.
Liverpool and their fans will relish the opportunity to make life difficult for Manchester United as they see their fierce rivals closing in on the Premiership.
The Reds are not going to win the Premiership and it is now a means to an end to get back into the Champions League.
But this is still such a big game that I can see Liverpool, with a clear week to prepare, fielding their strongest team.
The key to the game is how Liverpool cope with Paul Scholes.
He understands the game. He may not be a player you always notice but has the gift of fitting the play together, the back four into the midfield, and he is still a big threat when it comes to scoring goals.
People talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs having superb seasons for United but Scholes is the missing link.
He plays where all the traffic is. Michael Carrick is on the outside, but Scholes is in there, winning battles and dictating play.
Stop him and I believe Liverpool will win - let him run the game and Manchester United will edge closer to that title.
He understands the game. He may not be a player you always notice but has the gift of fitting the play together, the back four into the midfield, and he is still a big threat when it comes to scoring goals.
People talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs having superb seasons for United but Scholes is the missing link.
He plays where all the traffic is. Michael Carrick is on the outside, but Scholes is in there, winning battles and dictating play.
Stop him and I believe Liverpool will win - let him run the game and Manchester United will edge closer to that title.
Liverpool may flood midfield in an attempt to curb Scholes and use Momo Sissoko, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Sissoko would be perfect for the job of trying to stop Scholes because that's his strength.
Sissoko's return is massive for Liverpool in this regard.
He may not be the driving force or stand alongside Gerrard and Alonso in terms of technique, ability and goal-scoring, but he does the dirty work that allows them to go and play.
If your strength is being on the ball, knowing you have got someone alongside you doing all the hard work like Sissoko is a good feeling.
Sissoko would be perfect for the job of trying to stop Scholes because that's his strength.
Sissoko's return is massive for Liverpool in this regard.
He may not be the driving force or stand alongside Gerrard and Alonso in terms of technique, ability and goal-scoring, but he does the dirty work that allows them to go and play.
If your strength is being on the ball, knowing you have got someone alongside you doing all the hard work like Sissoko is a good feeling.
The one question I would have about Liverpool's starting line-up is whether manager Rafael Benitez goes with two up front.
His preferred pairing is Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt and he could go with them or with one - presumably Kuyt.
If he went with just Kuyt in attack he could use five in midfield and put Bellamy on the left or right.
Another option would be to flood the midfield with Sissoko, Alonso and Gerrard and put right-winger Jermaine Pennant and left-footed John Arne Riise on the flanks.
His preferred pairing is Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt and he could go with them or with one - presumably Kuyt.
If he went with just Kuyt in attack he could use five in midfield and put Bellamy on the left or right.
Another option would be to flood the midfield with Sissoko, Alonso and Gerrard and put right-winger Jermaine Pennant and left-footed John Arne Riise on the flanks.
United have attacking threats in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and others.
I would think Liverpool will again used their preferred central defensive partnership of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.
I know a bit about Agger from his time in Denmark, and he has surprised me with how well he has adapted and passed all the big tests placed in front of him.
The one worry I had about him was his defending but, in fairness, he did not have a lot of defending to do with Brondby.
He has stood up to the tests in places like Barcelona. He likes the responsibility, takes the ball and is a very calm footballer.
I would think Liverpool will again used their preferred central defensive partnership of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.
I know a bit about Agger from his time in Denmark, and he has surprised me with how well he has adapted and passed all the big tests placed in front of him.
The one worry I had about him was his defending but, in fairness, he did not have a lot of defending to do with Brondby.
He has stood up to the tests in places like Barcelona. He likes the responsibility, takes the ball and is a very calm footballer.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Watch Premiership football and other hot matches of live football on PC
By: Clint Jhonson
There are many people who would like to watch live football, but do not have technical possibilities. For those who are tired of missing the hottest games of their favourite teams, there is a solution by which they can watch live football on PC. Premiership football fans would most certainly like to keep up-to-date with live football scores and other news and what they can do to make sure they don’t miss the games they are keen on watching is to get a subscription for watching live football online. Web technology has advanced to such an extent that football fans can benefit from football games live on the Internet.A service allowing you to watch live football on your computer is usually quite cheap, which is a great advantage. Moreover, you don’t have to have a high-speed connection to benefit from live football online, and this means no further investment. You can choose live football on PC whatever the type of connection you have, as long as you are able to access the web. This type of service brings you great value for little money, as you don’t have to subscribe for a broadband Internet connection to be able to stay up-to-date with the latest live football scores.With so many technological advances in recent times, there are more things than you could think of that rely on the Internet, and live transmissions are one of them. Being able to watch live football with minimum costs and equipment requirements is a real treat for Premiership football fans. You no longer have to worry about missing the games of your favourite teams because a service offering live football on PC is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since we rely on the Internet more and more, the possibility of getting football games live on the Internet was surely to be expected.It is very easy to subscribe to the services of a website that offers live football on PC. All you have to do is submit your chosen password, and you will promptly receive login data that will allow you to watch live football sooner than you would expect, by downloading the free software included in your package. The fees for live football online services are also quite low and payable via the Internet as well. You don’t have to upgrade your computer or get a high-speed connection, as you will be provided with all the software you need to be able to stay up-to-date with the latest live football scores.Sign up for an online service offering live transmissions and you can start to watch live football from anywhere in the world. The service is not restricted to a certain area and provides the hottest games in all major national and international competitions. Premiership football fans will be delighted to get all the games they are interested in live for a surprisingly low annual fee. Apart from live football on PC, such a package includes several TV, radio and movies channels, so apart from football games live on the Internet, you will be able to watch other sports as well, and also news, films and music videos.With a service providing live football on PC, you need never worry about missing another game. You will get unlimited access to live streams and will be able to watch live football whenever you want. Most European games that are restricted on cable are available for anyone who subscribes to the service, so you will be able to find out live football scores at any time of day or night. Sign up and get a membership and the benefits will keep flowing onto your desktop along with your chosen matches of live football online.Once you’ve subscribed for a service offering live football on PC, you can download the necessary software application for free, as it is included in the package you purchase. You can benefit from your subscription from any computer, so you can watch live football no matter where you are, at home, at work, at your holiday retreat or on a business trip. A package for Premiership football will give you the best games in the Premier League, as well as other exciting football games live on the Internet.Both local and international games can be viewed once you get a subscription for a live football on PC service. You can access the service and watch live football from anywhere in the world as long as you have a basic computer and an Internet connection. Your location does not affect the quality of the live football online streams you receive, as the service will detect where you log in from and the transmission you get will certainly be of high quality. So you can sit back and relax in the farthest retreat while getting the latest live football scores on your computer.If you’re an enraged football fan, you no longer have to worry about missing your favourite football games, because of your cable or satellite subscription. You can now watch live football on your computer in exchange for a low fee and no other equipment than the software you can download for free when you subscribe. Enjoy the best football games live on the Internet through the best live football on PC service available. The Premiership football matches you’ve been longing to watch live in the comfort of your own home are only a few clicks away.
Article Source: http://www.article-hangout.com
There are many people who would like to watch live football, but do not have technical possibilities. For those who are tired of missing the hottest games of their favourite teams, there is a solution by which they can watch live football on PC. Premiership football fans would most certainly like to keep up-to-date with live football scores and other news and what they can do to make sure they don’t miss the games they are keen on watching is to get a subscription for watching live football online. Web technology has advanced to such an extent that football fans can benefit from football games live on the Internet.A service allowing you to watch live football on your computer is usually quite cheap, which is a great advantage. Moreover, you don’t have to have a high-speed connection to benefit from live football online, and this means no further investment. You can choose live football on PC whatever the type of connection you have, as long as you are able to access the web. This type of service brings you great value for little money, as you don’t have to subscribe for a broadband Internet connection to be able to stay up-to-date with the latest live football scores.With so many technological advances in recent times, there are more things than you could think of that rely on the Internet, and live transmissions are one of them. Being able to watch live football with minimum costs and equipment requirements is a real treat for Premiership football fans. You no longer have to worry about missing the games of your favourite teams because a service offering live football on PC is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since we rely on the Internet more and more, the possibility of getting football games live on the Internet was surely to be expected.It is very easy to subscribe to the services of a website that offers live football on PC. All you have to do is submit your chosen password, and you will promptly receive login data that will allow you to watch live football sooner than you would expect, by downloading the free software included in your package. The fees for live football online services are also quite low and payable via the Internet as well. You don’t have to upgrade your computer or get a high-speed connection, as you will be provided with all the software you need to be able to stay up-to-date with the latest live football scores.Sign up for an online service offering live transmissions and you can start to watch live football from anywhere in the world. The service is not restricted to a certain area and provides the hottest games in all major national and international competitions. Premiership football fans will be delighted to get all the games they are interested in live for a surprisingly low annual fee. Apart from live football on PC, such a package includes several TV, radio and movies channels, so apart from football games live on the Internet, you will be able to watch other sports as well, and also news, films and music videos.With a service providing live football on PC, you need never worry about missing another game. You will get unlimited access to live streams and will be able to watch live football whenever you want. Most European games that are restricted on cable are available for anyone who subscribes to the service, so you will be able to find out live football scores at any time of day or night. Sign up and get a membership and the benefits will keep flowing onto your desktop along with your chosen matches of live football online.Once you’ve subscribed for a service offering live football on PC, you can download the necessary software application for free, as it is included in the package you purchase. You can benefit from your subscription from any computer, so you can watch live football no matter where you are, at home, at work, at your holiday retreat or on a business trip. A package for Premiership football will give you the best games in the Premier League, as well as other exciting football games live on the Internet.Both local and international games can be viewed once you get a subscription for a live football on PC service. You can access the service and watch live football from anywhere in the world as long as you have a basic computer and an Internet connection. Your location does not affect the quality of the live football online streams you receive, as the service will detect where you log in from and the transmission you get will certainly be of high quality. So you can sit back and relax in the farthest retreat while getting the latest live football scores on your computer.If you’re an enraged football fan, you no longer have to worry about missing your favourite football games, because of your cable or satellite subscription. You can now watch live football on your computer in exchange for a low fee and no other equipment than the software you can download for free when you subscribe. Enjoy the best football games live on the Internet through the best live football on PC service available. The Premiership football matches you’ve been longing to watch live in the comfort of your own home are only a few clicks away.
Article Source: http://www.article-hangout.com
Saturday, January 27, 2007
How to watch the latest football scores and highlights for free on your PC
How to watch the latest football scores and highlights for free on your PC by Bridget Mwape
Did you know that you can watch live TV on your pc without a dish? Hundreds of football funs are doing this everyday. They are able to watch the latest football scores and highlights on their pc. The best thing amount this is that you do not need to go and subscribe to a digital satellite TV provider. All you need is some software and a basic computer and you'll be able to enjoy your favourite games live on your pc.
It's very easy to set up and you don't even need any special skills. All you have to do is purchase the Satellite TV for PC software online, download it and then install it on your pc. Now sit back and enjoy watching your team. Get the latest football scores and highlights for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Bolton, Charlton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Reading, Sheffield United, Manchester City, Manchester United (Man U), and Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Tottenham, Watford, West Ham, Wigan and many others.
Watching football on your pc is fun. You can be doing other things at the same time! You can even switch to something else when the commercials and ads come on.
The software you need to be able to watch the latest football scores and highlights for free on your PC is called "Satellite TV for PC". There are many websites that are offering satellite TV for pc software. Make sure that you purchase from a genuine website so that you can get free support. Also, avoid the so called free software because many of them always come with spy ware and annoying ads. Also, they have limitations on what channels you can watch for free. Genuine satellite TV for pc software will get you access to thousands of TV channels from different countries for free. If you need more information about the satellite TV for pc software and where to download it, then go to http://www.satellite-tv-providers.org/pctv/
With the satellite TV for PC software, you'll also be able to watch news, sports channels, documentaries, TV shows, movies and many other types of channels. You'll have access to hundreds of free-to-air channels from many different countries around the world. So not only will you be able to enjoy free access to the latest football scores and highlights, you'll also be able to watch live football games and many other sports events. You don't need any additional computer hardware or a satellite dish. All you need is an internet connection, a basic computer and the satellite TV for PC software.
About the Author
Copyright © 2007 Bridget Mwape. Watch all your favourite football teams live on your pc. Click here to download software that will give you instant access to thousands of digital satellite TV channels instantly: http://www.satellite-tv-providers.org/pctv/. Bridget Mwape writes articles for the Satellite TV guide.
Did you know that you can watch live TV on your pc without a dish? Hundreds of football funs are doing this everyday. They are able to watch the latest football scores and highlights on their pc. The best thing amount this is that you do not need to go and subscribe to a digital satellite TV provider. All you need is some software and a basic computer and you'll be able to enjoy your favourite games live on your pc.
It's very easy to set up and you don't even need any special skills. All you have to do is purchase the Satellite TV for PC software online, download it and then install it on your pc. Now sit back and enjoy watching your team. Get the latest football scores and highlights for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Bolton, Charlton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Reading, Sheffield United, Manchester City, Manchester United (Man U), and Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Tottenham, Watford, West Ham, Wigan and many others.
Watching football on your pc is fun. You can be doing other things at the same time! You can even switch to something else when the commercials and ads come on.
The software you need to be able to watch the latest football scores and highlights for free on your PC is called "Satellite TV for PC". There are many websites that are offering satellite TV for pc software. Make sure that you purchase from a genuine website so that you can get free support. Also, avoid the so called free software because many of them always come with spy ware and annoying ads. Also, they have limitations on what channels you can watch for free. Genuine satellite TV for pc software will get you access to thousands of TV channels from different countries for free. If you need more information about the satellite TV for pc software and where to download it, then go to http://www.satellite-tv-providers.org/pctv/
With the satellite TV for PC software, you'll also be able to watch news, sports channels, documentaries, TV shows, movies and many other types of channels. You'll have access to hundreds of free-to-air channels from many different countries around the world. So not only will you be able to enjoy free access to the latest football scores and highlights, you'll also be able to watch live football games and many other sports events. You don't need any additional computer hardware or a satellite dish. All you need is an internet connection, a basic computer and the satellite TV for PC software.
About the Author
Copyright © 2007 Bridget Mwape. Watch all your favourite football teams live on your pc. Click here to download software that will give you instant access to thousands of digital satellite TV channels instantly: http://www.satellite-tv-providers.org/pctv/. Bridget Mwape writes articles for the Satellite TV guide.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Basic Rules Of Soccer
Basic Rules Of Soccer by Bowe Packer
Soccer is a very popular and competitive sports game. In this game you have two opposed teams trying to score a goal for their squad by striking the ball into the other side's soccer goal. While this can be a playful and exciting game both to watch and play there are a few basic rules of soccer that need to be followed. These are mainly ways to keep the game from turning roughneck, violent and very dangerous.
In the first part of game you will have two teams who are unforced to play against each other. I know this is common sense, however this is the basic rules of soccer. The very first basic rules of soccer should come into play as soon as both of these teams are on the field. There should be Eleven people on the field at one given time. The rest of the squad should be sitting or waiting on the sidelines waiting to go in and play. They must stay there unless they are required to go on the field.
In the most basic rules of soccer besides having fun you should make sure that you manipulate the ball with the rest of your body. Although this appears to be a simple task, try it, you will soon find out it is challenging. You want to be sure that your hands and arms come absolutely no where near the association football or the other team will get a free turn at performing and your squad will have to begin the defensive attitude soccer ball game.
When you are playing this game you will need to make sure that you don't take on the goal keeper. He almost is considered to be in sacred ground back there at the goal. Another words, goal keepers are well protected by the rules. Doing a move like this will only gain your team a foul. This is a punishment which will let your opponents have a free turn at trying to score a goal. Of all the basic rules of soccer, that of winning the game by having the most goals scored is the end all be all. You must try to reach this by playing fairly, otherwise your team will suffer useful points.
So, what else can be included in the basic rules of soccer? what can you anticipate? You should try and ward off any dive tackles as this can cause hurt to the person that you are tackling. Now, once you become more experienced there are ways to accomplish the same end result as a diving tackle would. Except without the injuries and penalties. Also, you will want to invest in the right soccer equipment that your soccer team approves of. Now there is only one main rule that you will need to remember. From all of the basic rules of soccer this one counts the most - Have Fun!
Well now that you know a few of the basic rules of soccer you can try this game out for yourself. There are many city and state leagues that one can join to start in there soccer endeavors. There are very few rules for you to truly remember but if you want to know some of the other rules that are around for more of the big boys (big matches) soccer games you can see what the FIFA World Wide Web site has about these soccer rules.
Bowe is the webmaster and content provide for many informational websites. Please visit his Soccer site at: http://soccer.infoforuonline.com
About the Author
Bowe is the webmaster and content provide for many informational websites. Please visit his Soccer site at: http://soccer.infoforuonline.com
Soccer is a very popular and competitive sports game. In this game you have two opposed teams trying to score a goal for their squad by striking the ball into the other side's soccer goal. While this can be a playful and exciting game both to watch and play there are a few basic rules of soccer that need to be followed. These are mainly ways to keep the game from turning roughneck, violent and very dangerous.
In the first part of game you will have two teams who are unforced to play against each other. I know this is common sense, however this is the basic rules of soccer. The very first basic rules of soccer should come into play as soon as both of these teams are on the field. There should be Eleven people on the field at one given time. The rest of the squad should be sitting or waiting on the sidelines waiting to go in and play. They must stay there unless they are required to go on the field.
In the most basic rules of soccer besides having fun you should make sure that you manipulate the ball with the rest of your body. Although this appears to be a simple task, try it, you will soon find out it is challenging. You want to be sure that your hands and arms come absolutely no where near the association football or the other team will get a free turn at performing and your squad will have to begin the defensive attitude soccer ball game.
When you are playing this game you will need to make sure that you don't take on the goal keeper. He almost is considered to be in sacred ground back there at the goal. Another words, goal keepers are well protected by the rules. Doing a move like this will only gain your team a foul. This is a punishment which will let your opponents have a free turn at trying to score a goal. Of all the basic rules of soccer, that of winning the game by having the most goals scored is the end all be all. You must try to reach this by playing fairly, otherwise your team will suffer useful points.
So, what else can be included in the basic rules of soccer? what can you anticipate? You should try and ward off any dive tackles as this can cause hurt to the person that you are tackling. Now, once you become more experienced there are ways to accomplish the same end result as a diving tackle would. Except without the injuries and penalties. Also, you will want to invest in the right soccer equipment that your soccer team approves of. Now there is only one main rule that you will need to remember. From all of the basic rules of soccer this one counts the most - Have Fun!
Well now that you know a few of the basic rules of soccer you can try this game out for yourself. There are many city and state leagues that one can join to start in there soccer endeavors. There are very few rules for you to truly remember but if you want to know some of the other rules that are around for more of the big boys (big matches) soccer games you can see what the FIFA World Wide Web site has about these soccer rules.
Bowe is the webmaster and content provide for many informational websites. Please visit his Soccer site at: http://soccer.infoforuonline.com
About the Author
Bowe is the webmaster and content provide for many informational websites. Please visit his Soccer site at: http://soccer.infoforuonline.com
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Boost For Man Utd
Boost For Man Utd by ecobika
Boost For Man Utd
By WagerWeb.com and Ecobika soccer betting
Cup wins count for nothing in the league, but Manchester United took another big step towards the Premiership crown with Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup Third Round.
The reason - Henrik Larsson.
The veteran Swedish striker made his debut for the Red Devils after joining from Helsingborgs on a three-month loan and quickly demonstrated why Sir Alex Ferguson has been so excited by his arrival.
Larsson slotted straight into the United attack, linking up with Wayne Rooney like they had been playing together for years, and scoring his first goal for the club in the 55th minute with a brilliant bit of skill.
"This was a real Henrik goal. There was no drawback. He guided the ball into the corner of the net," said Ferguson. "His decision-making and movement were terrific. That's the thing that sticks out in my mind.
"He will be a great asset to us, I have no doubts about that."
With Louis Saha sidelined for a stretch with a groin injury and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer only just back from an injury himself, Larsson's arrival is perfectly timed to give United a boost going into the second half of the season. He gets another shot at Aston Villa on Saturday back in Premiership play; WagerWeb.com lists the Red Devils at -400.
At 35, Larsson no longer has much pace, but he has always relied on guile to cause defenders problems.
He perhaps wasted much of his career at Celtic - the Scottish Premier League was never worthy of his talent - but showed what he could do on the big stage in a brief spell with Barcelona which ended last summer.
It was his performance in the Champions League final - when he came off the bench to turn the game in Barca's favour against Arsenal - that persuaded Ferguson to try and sign him.
Whether he can play like he did on Sunday every week remains to be seen. He was well rested as this is the Swedish off-season, and feasted on Villa's young defence, but United have plenty of reasons for optimism.
The loan period might now be extended until the end of the season after Helsingborgs chairman Sten-Inge Fredin said he would not block such a move.
"If he wants to stay, then we'll open that discussion with United. We will not stand in his way," said Fredin.
Larsson, speaking after Sunday's game, said he still intended to be back in Sweden for the start of the Allsvenskan season, but if he does enough to help United pull further clear in the title race, surely he will want to stick around and earn his winner's medal.
These are worrying times for United's title rivals.
Click here to see the latest odds in the Premiership
About the Author
Boost For Man Utd
By WagerWeb.com and Ecobika soccer betting
Boost For Man Utd
By WagerWeb.com and Ecobika soccer betting
Cup wins count for nothing in the league, but Manchester United took another big step towards the Premiership crown with Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup Third Round.
The reason - Henrik Larsson.
The veteran Swedish striker made his debut for the Red Devils after joining from Helsingborgs on a three-month loan and quickly demonstrated why Sir Alex Ferguson has been so excited by his arrival.
Larsson slotted straight into the United attack, linking up with Wayne Rooney like they had been playing together for years, and scoring his first goal for the club in the 55th minute with a brilliant bit of skill.
"This was a real Henrik goal. There was no drawback. He guided the ball into the corner of the net," said Ferguson. "His decision-making and movement were terrific. That's the thing that sticks out in my mind.
"He will be a great asset to us, I have no doubts about that."
With Louis Saha sidelined for a stretch with a groin injury and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer only just back from an injury himself, Larsson's arrival is perfectly timed to give United a boost going into the second half of the season. He gets another shot at Aston Villa on Saturday back in Premiership play; WagerWeb.com lists the Red Devils at -400.
At 35, Larsson no longer has much pace, but he has always relied on guile to cause defenders problems.
He perhaps wasted much of his career at Celtic - the Scottish Premier League was never worthy of his talent - but showed what he could do on the big stage in a brief spell with Barcelona which ended last summer.
It was his performance in the Champions League final - when he came off the bench to turn the game in Barca's favour against Arsenal - that persuaded Ferguson to try and sign him.
Whether he can play like he did on Sunday every week remains to be seen. He was well rested as this is the Swedish off-season, and feasted on Villa's young defence, but United have plenty of reasons for optimism.
The loan period might now be extended until the end of the season after Helsingborgs chairman Sten-Inge Fredin said he would not block such a move.
"If he wants to stay, then we'll open that discussion with United. We will not stand in his way," said Fredin.
Larsson, speaking after Sunday's game, said he still intended to be back in Sweden for the start of the Allsvenskan season, but if he does enough to help United pull further clear in the title race, surely he will want to stick around and earn his winner's medal.
These are worrying times for United's title rivals.
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