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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“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.

Since signing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in 2005 the midfielder has had a knack of playing in the big matches, as Fergie has entrusted Park with the responsibility of delivering when it counts. Foreign players in the Premier League can be hit or miss, with a lot not coping with the physical demands of the game, which differ from any other nation in the world. Park however has raised the bar with his values of hard work, determination and a never say die attitude, that any British player would be proud of. The amount of energy the ex-Kyoto Purple Sanga man has is astounding, and has led team-mate Rio Ferdinand to say the following in the season just past:

“The lads in the changing-room sometimes sit and laugh at the amount of work Ji gets through, because it’s just ridiculous. We just want to know what he eats pre-match and at home. He must have a different diet to all of us because the way he runs and the energy he’s got is phenomenal. It’s great to see and have as a part of your team. He’s definitely an unsung hero. Ji scores goals in big games. The manager just seems to pick him all the time in the big games and he just delivers. He doesn’t get all the headlines but he’s appreciated by his team-mates.”

United’s Asian import must be likened to the Energizer bunny, as he just keeps going and going where others give up. This is not down to a Popeye eats spinach situation, it is due to the Goheung born player’s Asian diet.

Park sticks to a strict diet of rice, vegetables, and fresh fruits, with fish and other lean meats, rich in Omega 3. The guilty pleasures of red meat, fast food and a few beers at the pub that British players have been associated with is of no interest to this brand of bunny, who is more interested in Vitamin D than something deep fried.

So to answer Rio’s bewilderment and as a role model for all aspiring professional footballers; ditch the British diet of starchy and unhealthy food, load up on carbs and look for a more oriental approach.

Gareth McKnight writes for Soccerlens.com.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Lindegaard; Rafael, Evans, Vidic (Ferdinand, 46), Fabio; Nani (Giggs, 67), Carrick (Park, 75), Anderson (Diouf, 75), Young (Obertan, 67); Berbatov (Macheda, 46), Rooney (Owen, 46). Subs: Johnstone (g).

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