Larsson not keen to extend United stay

Former Sweden striker Henrik Larsson is not keen on extending his loan spell with Manchester United and is set to return to hometown club Helsingborg next month.

The 35-year-old former Barcel-ona and Celtic striker joined United on January 1 in a deal that is due to end on March 12.

Larsson has indicated to United manager Alex Ferguson that he does not want to remain at Old Trafford beyond his 10-week stay, the Guardian newspaper reported yesterday.

"I am not saying that I am not flattered or grateful to get the opportunity to extend my stay but there are other things I need to think about," the newspaper quoted Larsson as saying.

"This is a great adventure for me. I arrived in January and I'm going home in March to play in Sweden. It suits me perfectly."

Larsson has scored twice in eight appearances for United, netting in an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa and a league win over Watford.

Reports said Larsson is becoming affected by travelling to and from Sweden, saying: "I am going back and forward and it's not an ideal situation."

Helsingborg chairman Sten-Inge Fredrin claimed it was always clear Larsson would return as scheduled.

"There hasn't been any doubt about that. Henrik should be back on March 12," he told reporters.

"When we made contact in December, that decision was taken with Manchester, Henrik and myself. It had been clear from the beginning.

"We also have a lot of fans here and, I can assure you, they want to have him back here too.

"At Helsingborg, we have our sponsors and we have our responsibilities.

"That's why we let him go, because we were sure he would be back in March."