“It’s true that I said I want to retire at United,” he said. “But what I want does not always translate to reality. It becomes more feasible when the whole situation clicks.”

Park, who will be out of contract next summer, admitted he had a disappointing season.

“I want to forget the past and think about what I have to do in the future,” he said. “I do not have time to think about next season. I need to rest mentally and physically.”

“I was called but I had to say no,” Park said. “I know how it is like at the Olympics because I was involved in Sydney (2000). “I have also played in three World Cup finals and my best memory was the tournament in Japan and South Korea in 2002. Few could have thought that we could get to the semi-finals. I have 100 caps, but this period of my life is over for me. I want to concentrate on my club from now on. This is my seventh year at Old Trafford. I won four titles but I want to win the Premier League this year more than ever.”

When Park joined United for £2m in 2005 several people claimed it was just to appeal to the Asian market in order to sell more shirts. Those people obviously didn’t watch him play for PSV against AC Milan in the Champions League a few months before we bought him.

Since then he has won four league titles and has developed the reputation of a big game player, having scored against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

“I am proud to reach this mark,” said Park. “I never thought I could play 200 matches for Manchester United. Some people did say those things (shirt-seller) when I came here. Now no-one says it. I am very happy that I proved Asian players can deal with the high levels of European football. Before I came here, I believed I could do it but I wasn’t sure. But the manager believed in me. He encouraged me to deal with these kinds of levels. He told me to fight. That made a big difference for me to adapt to English football.”

“When I came to United I didn’t expect to be here for this long,” he said. “Looking back on my career I can’t believe I’ve been here six or seven years. Hopefully this club is my last club – but you have to prove you deserve it. I hope I can improve every single day to deserve that chance. I haven’t played every match but I have to deal with that. If the manager asks you to play then you have to perform well; the boss expects it. I admit at first it’s quite difficult; but I have been here seven years now so I know how to deal with it. I’m not worried about that. I have to perform well even if I only get a short time on the pitch. If you do that then the boss gives you more chances to play. I’m satisfied with my performances so far this season but I know I can improve.”

Last season, he scored the winning goal against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final, moments after Didier Drogba had brought the opposition level.

However, Park believes it is his goal from the season before against Liverpool, where United came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1, which is his best for the club.

“My most memorable goal is maybe the winning goal against Liverpool or the one against Chelsea, both at Old Trafford,” he told the official site. “One of those goals would be my best. Actually, with the one against Chelsea in the Champions League, even if we had drawn the match, we would have got through. So I’ll choose the Liverpool goal.”

“I have enjoyed every minute of my time at United,” said Park. “I’m delighted to be part of the club during this latest stage in its history – with another exciting young team being built. I’m looking forward to playing my part in keeping United at the top of the game.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, who has relied on Park in so many of our big games in the past few years, has voiced his happiness at a new deal being agreed.

“Ji has been an important player for us for a number of years now,” said Ferguson. “He has great ability and energy and in recent seasons has added the knack of scoring important goals in big games. He is a popular member of the squad and his experience at domestic and international level is invaluable for the younger players.”

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More United related footage at RoM videos

“He’s been offered a new contract, yes,” said Ferguson. “I’m sure he’ll sign it. His career at United has been nothing but excellent. He’s a tremendous professional. I’m sure he’ll accept a new offer and tie himself to the club for the next two years.”

Earlier this week, Park answered some questions for RoM and claimed he couldn’t understand why anyone would leave United.

Some United fans fondly refer to you as “Three lung Park” because of your work rate. How do you feel about that nickname?

Park: Actually, maybe I have three lungs. I’m not sure. Stamina is my strength. Maybe, I am eating good Korean food that makes me run.

Are you still friends with a certain former teammate that now plays at City?

Park: I don’t think about leaving Man United. It is the best club in the world. I don’t know why they would want to leave.

Read the interview with Park in full on KCKRS and follow KCKRS on Twitter.