Campbell may get the chance to play at Old
Trafford
HARRY REDKNAPP - Columnist
Campbell can prove, as Swedish star Larsson did, that
he still has the quality to play at the very highest level and I'm
not surprised at the reports tipping him for a Premier League
return.
Not too many people took to the idea of striker Larsson
doing a more than decent job for Alex Ferguson back in January 2007
when he was plucked from Swedish part-timers Helsingborgs.
Sir Alex needed a temporary fix for his squad when he
was struggling with injuries to strikers Alan Smith and Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer. It worked out brilliantly as Larsson scored on his debut
against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and then against Watford in the
league during his three-month stay.
United went on to win the Premier League title that
season, two months after Larsson, now 37, went home to Sweden with
Sir Alex full of praise for the way he handled himself.
As a measure of Larsson's contribution, even though he
did not play the 10 games needed to gain a champion's medal, United
asked for and were granted an extra gong to pass on to him.
With United now having problems with the fitness of key
defenders like Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea, it has a
familiar ring about the Larsson situation to it. Sol can still do a
job for anyone and probably the biggest mistake he has made in
recent years was moving to Notts County.
Not for one minute do I wish to disrespect anyone at
Meadow Lane, I know they are honest pros who will do their best for
the club. But one of the hardest things in football - and there are
many - is trying to play alongside players who are not on the same
level. That is the situation Campbell found himself in and while I
don't know if he will go to Old Trafford, or if Sir Alex is
interested, it would make sense.
Larsson was successfully persuaded to come out of
retirement and Sol - at 35 a couple of years younger - would also
be one of those 'golden oldies'. In fact, Sir Alex has already
turned to one golden oldie and is getting the rewards for backing
his judgment in signing Michael Owen when few would touch him.
I reckon Liverpool must be looking at Owen now and
wondering why they didn't try to get him back at Anfield - when
Fernando Torres is injured who do they have?
If the truth be known, Owen would probably have loved
to have gone back to Anfield for a second spell and I can just
imagine him running on to passes slid through defences by Stevie
Gerrard. For me, it was a no-brainer when Owen became available and
his hat-trick for United in Germany against Wolfsburg was a
masterclass in finishing and demonstrates that class is permanent,
form is temporary.
Owen took a little time to find his feet at Old
Trafford and knows he is not going to play a part in every game -
this is where his temperament kicks in. He is mentally tough enough
to accept the situation if he is on the bench and accept the
challenge on the pitch.
Michael has already played in enough games to get a
title medal should United manage to overhaul Chelsea at the top.
You never know, Sol could be getting another title medal of his
long career when they are handed out in May.
HARRY REDKNAPP