I had the opportunity to join Manchester United for more money, but Celtic were perfect for me.

Few players would have rejected a Manchester United in their pomp, if not for a legendary striker, Celtic were the holy grail.

Henrik Larsson He was nicknamed the 'King of Kings' during an unforgettable seven-year period in Celtic Park, scoring a whopping 242 goals in 315 games.

The Swede led Celtic to four Scottish Premier League titles and made a crucial stop Forest ranger to break the Bhoys' record of nine league titles in a row.

But it could all have been very different for the revered striker had he taken the opportunity to leave Celtic for manchester united in the 1990s.

“I had the opportunity to go to Manchester United in the 1990s from Celtic,” Larsson said. The Guardian. “He would have earned more, maybe £10,000 or £15,000 more a week. But he had just finished three and a half years at Feyenoord, where there had been ups and downs.

“I had just found my place (at Celtic) and I wanted to continue with that. We had played in the UEFA Cup, I played for Sweden and I didn't feel the need to go anywhere else. I didn't become a superstar in BarcelonaI became a superstar at Celtic.”

Fortunately for Larsson, the train to Old Trafford stopped for the second time in his career in 2007, joining United on a three-month loan spell.

Larsson was back in his home country with Helsingborgs, but the end of the Swedish league season presented him with the opportunity to get a taste of Premier League action.

Despite his short stay in Manchester, Larsson admits it was an honor to represent the club and highlighted the hospitable welcome he received.

“I was only there ten weeks, but Mr Alex Ferguson “He made me feel very welcome,” he added. “I lived at the Lowry (hotel). Louis Saha and Patrice Evra took me to lunch, Wayne Rooney also. I thought, 'Oh, they really care.' So you want to do good to them. “It was an honor to represent Manchester United.”

The Swede managed to win the Champions League trophy in 2006, when Barcelona came back to win. Arsenal 2-1 in the final in Paris.

His second-half substitute appearance changed the course of the match, providing two assists to demolish Arsene Wenger's men at the Stade de France.

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Larsson, now 52, ​​has adapted to a life away from football, where he divides his time between being a grandfather, running his own clothing line and playing a few rounds of golf.