I missed family, says Larsson on return to Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Mar 12 (Reuters) Striker Henrik Larsson was glad to be back in Sweden today after missing his family during his 10-week loan with Premier League leaders Manchester United.

''It has been a fantastic team to play in, but it has been hard to be without my family,'' Larsson was quoted by newspaper Dagens Nyheter as saying at a news conference in the western town of Helsingborg, the home of his Swedish club side.

''I had a contract that I would be back in Helsingborg on March 12 and I am fulfilling that,'' Larsson said at the news conference.

''It is nice to be back in Helsingborg. There have never been any question marks from my side (about returning),'' he was quoted as saying by the Aftonbladet newspaper.

Larsson played his last game for Manchester United on Saturday in an FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough, which ended 2-2.

He scored three times during his spell at United, including the goal in their 1-0 win over Lille in the second leg of the Champions League first knockout round last week.

Larsson said he was looking forward to the start of the Swedish season in April and repeated he had no intention of returning to the national side after retiring from it last year.

''I am 36 in September and I have done my bit there,'' he said, adding that Sweden had other good forwards.

Reuters PDS DB2028