Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Park Ji-Sung Staying with United

By Ben Williams


With Manchester United already unfortunate enough to lose one highly rated and massively influential midfielder in the form of Paul Scholes to retirement from football, United fans will be pleased to hear that Park Ji-Sung isn't planning on doing the same for a very long time. The Korean midfielder, who has now been with United for six years after joining from PSV Eindhoven, seems all too content to finish his playing days with the club and seems to have no desire to quit for a new challenge, in spite of recent speculation that United want to release him: "I want to stay here and I have no reason to leave."

It would appear that now more than ever before, United simply need to keep up their strength levels in midfield, with the genius that was Paul Scholes hanging his boots up after a career that saw him make a whopping total of 676 appearances for the club, the midfielder scoring 150 goals in the process. Without him around, the United midfield will need to pull together and work far harder than ever before.

In light of this, Park will surely be a massive part of United's plans, impressing the fans since he arrived at the club despite some initial doubts at Sir Alex Ferguson chasing after his signature. The hard-working Korean player has been praised for his work ethic and commitment, which takes him all over the midfield area and down along the wings.

Park has always been regarded by Sir Alex Ferguson as a player for the big occasion, displaying the level of performance in big games that often proves decisive and helps the team win titles and trophies. Ferguson described his decision to leave Park out of the team for the 2008 Champions League final as "the hardest decision I have ever had to make." Since then, though, he has proved his worth to the United manager, appearing in the two consequent Champions League finals against Barcelona and becoming the first Asian to play in a Champions League final.

Players such as Vidic and Carrick have come out to claim that there is enough talent within the United squad already to fill Scholes' boots and Park is certainly a part of this.




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