Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be a success at Manchester United says Henrik Larsson

Image: Larsson and Ibrahimovic (right) celebrate a Sweden goal

Former Sweden striker Henrik Larsson believes compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic can bring the glory days back to Manchester United.

Larsson, who won the Premier League during a short spell at Old Trafford in 2007, is confident Ibrahimovic will settle quickly at United.

"Zlatan is gigantic in Sweden," the former Celtic and Barcelona striker told Man United's official website. "He is the number one.

"Everyone knows of him and everyone knows about him. There are going to be a lot of people interested to see him as well.

"I think everybody has seen him play but, for a man that big to have the technique he has and the skills he has, it's a pleasure to watch.

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Image: Ibrahimovic launches the new Manchester United home kit

"So I have to hope everything goes well now when he comes to Manchester United. Hopefully, he can bring United back to where it belongs."

Larsson is adamant the 34-year-old's age will not be an issue, despite the demands of English football.

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"No, I don't think so. He's a fit guy. He takes care of his body so that won't be a problem," added Larsson, who won the Golden Shoe as Europe's top scorer with Celtic in 2001.

"I hope everything goes well because United deserves it and he deserves every good thing that is happening to him. He's Sweden's biggest footballer ever and to see him join United, yes, it was a pleasure."

The Helsingborgs manager agrees with United boss Jose Mourinho that playing in England will be Ibrahimovic's biggest test.

Image: Larsson celebrates a goal for Manchester United against Lille

"Yes, it is a huge challenge," he added. "It's one of the best leagues, if not the best league in the world, and it has a lot of players with quality. So you need to perform week in and week out.

"There are also the English cups to play in and you want to be able to do something in Europe as well so there are going to be a lot of games.

"But, as I said, he's fit and he likes to train. You have got a great physical department at United as well so I'm sure everybody is going to make it happen in the best possible way for the club.

"What I remember of him, although it was a long time ago when we played, was that he used to train hard and train well. I expect he's still doing that, otherwise he wouldn't be able to play football at that level at that age."
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