Henrik Larsson's final home game for Manchester United is scheduled to be this Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Lille, before his farewell appearance in the FA Cup quarter final at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
So after that clash against Boro, Larsson's next match will be for Helsingborg at Elfsborg in the Swedish Super Cup in front of around 12,000 people on March 31.
But before then, 76,000 United fans will no doubt rise to their feet to show their appreciation of a player that has made a big impression in his short spell at Old Trafford. Perhaps he has not scored as many goals as he would have liked during his ten-week loan spell, but the United management and players alike have been full of praise for the link-up play, perceptive running and professionalism shown by the 35-year-old.
To many it seems strange that Larsson is returning to Sweden, leaving United chasing silverware on three different fronts. But Larsson has always been a man of principle – which is why he left Barcelona for Helsingborg in the first place and why he stayed at Celtic for seven years when all the big clubs around Europe were chasing his signature.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted: "Had I got Larsson five years ago it would have been fantastic. I tried a couple of times but the circumstances weren't quite right. His attachment to Celtic was a big reason, but, goodness, he would have been some player for us. Henrik made sacrifices in playing for us. His son is at school and it's an important period. We are just grateful for him being here."
Back home in his native Sweden, Larsson lives with his wide Magdelena and their two children in a villa overlooking the sea that divides Sweden and Denmark. Helsingborg manager Stuart Baxter, meanwhile, believes Larsson should be congratulated for his integrity, saying: "People who criticise him for leaving United are missing the essence of Henrik Larsson. People will call it insanity when it's the opposite and call it weak when it's the opposite.
"Most players would give their back teeth to play for United and it's only because of Henrik's strength and integrity that he can resists that pull. He promised his family at this stage of his life he'd be there with them and he's following that path. What I admire is how he balances his career needs with his family needs. That distance he keeps from the jungle of professional football is what helps make him a great player."
Baxter added: "Anybody who thinks coming back to Sweden is an easy option is off target. In some ways, being in your home league as the only big star with everyone wanting to cut your legs off if you go a couple of games without scoring is harder than life as just one of a number of great players at United.
"On the phone to him the other night, I said it's great hes shown those in England who doubted his achievements at Celtic what he can do. Being Henrik, all he said was 'ah, that really doesn't bother me'."
Meanwhile, United defender Patrice Evra has hailed teammate Cristiano Ronaldo as the most 'skilful' footballer in the world - and one of the club's top micky takers, along with Wayne Rooney.
As for Ronaldo the player, Evra says: "Im convinced he sleeps with the ball, eats with the ball and watches TV with the ball! Every time he has a ball at his feet he will try a new trick. Hes unbelievable.'
And on the subject or jokers Ronaldo and Rooney, he adds: "Everybody jokes with me about my clothes and because I'm only 5ft 8ins all the lads are always reminding me that I'm quite small.
"Cristiano and Wazza kill me every day and write 'S' (for small) on my stuff! Before a recent game Wazza stuck my picture in the mascot section of the matchday programme to make out I was as small as the mascot! I laughed so much I was nearly crying but Ive kept the programme as a memento.'
* There's a full interview with Patrice Evra in this month's club magazine 'Inside United'.
