Holding a press conference in Park Ji-Sung’s home town, Seoul, Sir Alex Ferguson has explained the reasons why Manchester United signed the South Korean midfielder. Fergie is pleased with how Park has developed since joining the club and is pleased to see the great reaction the player has received so far.
“When we were scouting Park at PSV, I went to see him the quarter-finals against Lyon,” said Ferguson. “What we identified was a player with a great understanding of space. When his team had the ball, his movement was clever. We saw a player who could penetrate in the last third of the field and that is why we bought him. Since then he has developed his tactical and technical ability and he has become a very important player for us. He has had a fantastic career with us. When a local lad like Ji-sung has left his country to play for Manchester United and excel at the highest level then it is obvious he will receive adulation at home. He has been the star of the national team for a while too. This is a football nation and when they see Park doing well and then when he comes back, the reaction is understandable.”
Park is a player who doesn’t often get much attention, so it will be good to see how the fans in South Korea respond to him tomorrow. He has certainly become far more capable over the past couple of seasons and whilst that is appreciated by the fans inside Old Trafford, I’m sure the support he’ll get tomorrow will put us to shame!
David Gill answered questions on Park’s future, claiming that talks for a contract extension will begin shortly.
“Those discussions will take place,” said Gill. “We are looking to extend the contract, but there is no timing on it. Sir Alex and his coaches very happy with him and we are looking to extend the deal, but there is no news at the moment. When there is something to announce, we will do so.”
With United keen to extend their fanbase in the Far East, questions will always be asked when we sign a player from this region. Gill wanted to downplay any suggestion that Park was bought for commercial regions.
“Ji was bought for football reasons obviously, but his presence has helped our commercial situation in the country without doubt,” he added.
Man Utd News 24/7
Very hard working and very under rated.if he can get 8-10 goals a season he would be of greater value to United.
I wish sometime they can come to malta.
I’ve got a cousin there and hes mad on united
i have to say im not Park’s biggest fan. apparently he is to sign a new contract too. i dont think he is good enough for our first 11 and only a useful squad player and a work horse. he doesnt seem able to cross, shoot or dribble, something that is important to a winger. i hoping with the arrival of three wingers we might see him on his way out.
11am MF im hoping that u support citeh
ask any football fan who doesnt support united to name 6 united players who play for united
3 players that dont really get a shout is parkfletcher and oshea
and i love that
because they’re so important to united but no one really rates them that high to worry them, but they are a key to united beating them
11am.
seems u dont knw the saying that to be a successful team like us you dont need to have 11 world class players.
forgot his performance last year againsg Barca in the semis.
he and rooney made up for Ronaldo’s apparent reluctance to track back.That’s why ronaldo palyed through the centre and rooney and park on the wings.
as i say Park will never get the recognition he deserves.people think we shud have all worl class players.Such people do not understand how a football team is made up
@11am
dont sell my park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB9H8IU5csU
Really like Park, his attitude & dedication to the team. I don’t think he’s good enough for the top though, he was shown up in the CL final – even though nobody played particularly well. When you’re up against a top side you need players with an extra dimension to their game, to create something from nothing & inject the game with the unexpected. As much as I like the player I can’t see him in that mold, what you see is what you get.
Great squad member.
ghtt
plz make a cd with all the chants sung by emily.
His industry on winning the ball back whenever i watch him play has me constantly saying ”brilliant parky son, thats it get stuck in” but i feel he doesnt bring much more to the team except scampering around the pitch snapping at peoples ankles. fergie says he’s got great awareness of space but whenever he’s found in that space from what ive seen he doesnt make the most of it. Whenever he’s one on one with the goalie i never have faith he’ll stick it away but he is a valueble squad player no doubt
@ macheda is GOD
I’m not sure if they could do a tour in Malta but one match would be great. From what I’ve seen on MUTV it looks like if your from Malta and your a football fan, you must be a Man United fan.
Towards the end of the season he was quite dissapointing I thought.. Didn’t look full of energy as he usually does.. Great squad player though
untouchable
I’m going to the match tomorrow in Seoul. Can’t wait to see United in flesh and I hope Park comes on for a couple of minutes to get the reception he deserves. His presence at United is tremendous publicity for the club. You walk into a shoe store here and you see Rooney and Park side by side. You turn on the 9 o’clock news and there’s always news about United. And of course, all the United games are broadcast live whatever the time.
OMelhorDoMundo
enjoy mate
take in every second
Just don’t understand why people think he is not good enough for United. Ridicolous. Regarding O’Shea and Fletch gotta hate you are bang on. As I said last night they were talking to United’s fitness coach on MUTV. The clubs fittest players :- Fletch, O’Shea and Gibbo.
Park, Park wherever you may be
You eat dogs in your country
Could be worse
Could be scouse
Eating rats in the council house.
Great player, love Parky..
@mezza
just for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oKBPgDI6ZY
Enjoy yourself,OMelhorDoMundo.
Park had a brilliant season and is a great player, scoring some vital goals.
I’d like to see more of him. He works really hard.
some times you need water carrier in your team. who will supply the drink when your striker is thirsty?
Super squad player, played out of position at UTD. For PSV and Korea he’s been a central midfielder and that’s where he’s best. An incredibly valuable member of the team – just like John O’Shea and Wesley Brown. ThreeLungPark doesn’t complain but just gets on with the job and does it well.
GHTT
Thx mate, shes a cutie.. not the first clip of Emily ive seen, since ya keep postin em
so keep em comin mate..
My 5 year old was born a United supporter, even if he thinks of a different team ill sign him out the family..
I should get a clip of him from saturdays games, last week he had gem of a game (man of the match), got the ball in hes own box, shook off 2 defenders on either side of him and scored the winning goal with 5 min to go…pray to god that hes a lil red devil in the making
good stuff out of mezza jnr
sounds like a young giggy
can see Park being a regular starter next season on the left wing, valencia on the right in a classic 4-4-2, and thats no bad thing
Mezza
I’m getting my Mezza #10 shirt right away
Don’t let him anywhere near Wenger tho, that man likes em young
just like Jacko….
aig alex is god sorry but park is not good enough for united. What does he offer the team bar work rate, we are united we should not be carrying players with limited ability. United have been famous for great wide players. Yes not 11 world class players but at least players who can make things happen. Look at beckham he was not a total world class player but he offered work rate and also he could create bags full of chances for the forwards and score in double figures.
Park really reduces the teams attacking play, look at the final he was found and he offered no spark no craft and no goals. iniesta shoved park right off the ball and he is about the same size has park. Also united fans lately a lot on this blog that those squad players are more important than the real top players even more important than ronaldo and Rooney.
They can do a job we want more than players that can do a job. When real Madrid were at their best in the 02/03 season, they would have CM players who would do a job, but they would have in a front four the best in their position. What is worrying is these workers are starting to get into the attacking part which for a club like united it is not good enough.
Do you realize how stupid you sound right there?
You say Beckham wasnt world class then mention all the attributes that make him world class!.
JS Park is vital to Man United, he does the hard work, he’s not good on the attacking side but he covers for anyone who wants to go forward without Parky in the team you wont see the likes of Evra and Rafael bombing forward with freedom
Look back at Barca in the semi final, he was great in that match and the protection he gave to the back 4 was immense.
Rooney,Giggsy,Berbatov,Owen…they win you games but Park,O’Shea,Fletcher win you trophies.
Actually, this year – without Ronaldo – ThreeLungPark might see his playing time reduced as the need for “extra” defensive cover will be less while the need for more/better offensive production will be more. This season – without CR7 – UTD’s attack will evolve into a new style/strategy/tactics.
five he falls short of world class. he is in the second tier of top class players not the best. figo zidane raul ronaldo carlos ronaldinho batistuta xavi scholes giggs when beckham was still good they were your world class players. no five last year vds ferdinand vidic evans evra carrick fletcher ronaldo rooney were the vital players for united. park is just abysmel and bar him running around like a headless chicken he offers nothing else