Zlatan Ibrahimovic will help Manchester United return to the top of English football, according to former Sweden teammate Henrik Larsson.

Ibrahimovic moved to the 20-time English champions on a free transfer this summer and is expected to make his debut for the club against Galatasaray in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night.

Man United have finished seventh, fourth and fifth in their three Premier League seasons, but Larsson is confident that Ibrahimovic will help the Red Devils thrive once again.

"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," Larsson told the official United website. "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.

"I don't think his age could be an issue. He's a fit guy. He takes care of his body so that won't be a problem. 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.

"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. Zlatan is gigantic in Sweden. He is the number one. Everyone knows of him and everyone knows about him."

Larsson, 44, represented Man United on loan during the 2006-07 season, making 13 appearances and scoring three times before returning to Helsingborg.