China’s answer to Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United four years ago. Back then, Arsenal were going unbeaten in the league, Roy Carroll was our goalkeeper, Chelsea were finishing above us in the league, and a 19-year-old Portuguese kid had scored for us in the FA Cup final.
United forked out £500k, with the potential to pay £3.5 million based on appearances. Fortunately, we haven’t come anywhere near paying that much!
Yes, you all know who I’m talking about. Dong Fangzhuo. Every year as United looked to sign a striker in the summer, the topic of “Where’s Dong?” would arise on United forums. We’d all seen his videos on YouTube and he looked half decent.
He even scored for us in pre-seasons but it was glaringly obvious whenever he pulled on a United shirt that he was not good enough for our club, not even good enough for the Premiership. In his one league outing, the pointless game against Chelsea the season before last after the title had already been won, he was somewhat of a joke.
Well, finally, United have cancelled his contract. No more loans to Royal Antwerp or anywhere else, Dong is no longer a United player! Rejoice! First Eagles, then Silvestre (sorry!), now Dong, so who’s next? Louis Saha? John O’Shea (sorry!).
class… and the BBC put a picture of Park in their article about Dong leaving. Well done
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7586629.stm
Not O’Shea – he’s too valuable because of his versatility; it doesn’t really matter that he not “UTD quality” in any one position. What counts with him is that he provides solid, journeyman-level back-up at a great many positions. In a long season, that’s a very valuable player.
The guys who are on the cusp of leaving are Simpson (because he’s one-position player who is going to be over-lapped by DaSilva) and Saha (because he ain’t called LouisLouisHaHa for nothing !). Simpson is essentially costless – and might even bring in a million or two; getting Saha off the weekly salary commitment will probably be part of paying Berbatov’s huge wage-packet – assuming that this is a done deal. If not then Saha gets to continue his romance with the physiotherapists and masseuses.
LOL Ooops BBC!
John O’Shea??? Don’t think so bud….bit harsh on the lad….that goal against Arsenal at Highbury, last minute at Anfield in front of the Kop, and one of the best chants we’ve got….
Take it easy on the lad…he did n’t make it…….who is this guy Saha that everyone talks about?
^^ haha , nice one
at last, having sold a few shirts in china, the most useless player i have ever seen play in a United shirt has gone! Surely we could have got at least 50quid for him rather than releasing him??? Or maybe not lol.
The picture on the BBC site IS actually of Dong by the way, and not Park.
Really harsh. Forlan was hopeless for us but ended up getting the golden boot!
The videos show he has power, pace and can finish, his record at Antwerp is just as impressive as Fraziers, so who knows how good he could have been if given the chance? I do not think 1 game is a fair reflection of a player, if it is, then what did you lot say about Vidic and Evra after their debuts?
Get some perspective people.
Jesus, let the poor guy live. He came, he was rubbish, he leaves. He was alright for the reserves and was quite marketable in China so I’m not compalining.
I’m sure he sold a few replica shirts in China.
Thats what matters eh?
A bit harsh on John O’shea mate.
However I’m glad that Dong is going, he certainly lived up to his name!
Saha is off too…
Good times!
What about our money making in china?????? the most lucrative market in the world. Quick sign liu xiang the hurdler…money!!!!!!!!
Or bring dong back…china = revenue 4 us