(Photoby Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Congratulations are due to Ji Sung Park, who has scooped a new four-year contract at Old Trafford.
Park had nine months left on the deal he signed when joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, forcing United to act quickly or risk losing the player for nothing at the season’s end.
"We are always pleased to secure the future of our star players and Ji-Sung has proved himself to be a fantastic professional and an important, versatile player in our squad,” Sir Alex said. "We're delighted he's signed a new contract."
Park was equally giddy.
He said: "I am so pleased to have this new contract as I'm really enjoying my time here. We have achieved great success over the last four years and won many trophies. It is a great experience for me to play at this magnificent football club along with other world famous players.
"I appreciate all that Sir Alex and the staff have done for me, but I have to mention the fans too, as they are incredible."
Meanwhile, Park's agent, in an interview with South Korea’s Yonhap News, declared that his charge had earned himself a whopping 40 percent increase in wages on the previous deal.
According to the newspaper, the midfielder is “now the best paid Korean soccer player and second among all Korean athletes. San Diego Padres pitcher Chan-ho Park receives $15.33 million in annual salary.”
The United Kingdom’s Daily Telegraph raised its glass in tribute by way of an article on the Korean’s contribution to the United cause.
“Park has emerged as a key figure at Old Trafford over the past 18 months after overcoming a career-threatening cruciate ligament injury,” the article read.
The Telegraph's journalist, somewhat mischievously perhaps, couldn’t resist the opportunity of offering an alternative explanation of what makes Park’s retention such a non-brainer for the Old Trafford bean-counters.
“His presence at Old Trafford only serves to enhance United's immense popularity in South Korea and the Far East.”
Ah, the famous Far East gold rush! Asia—football’s new El Dorado! This canard has been doing the rounds in the British media kingdom ever since football’s top brass woke up to the region’s staggering enthusiasm for Premiership soccer. It is often cited as an important reason why the South Korean’s continues in United’s first 11.
Park remains for many an object of suspicion because he lacks the gifts of a genuine United player. He is an unreliable scorer, having burst the net on just 12 occasions in 127 appearances since his £4.5 million transfer. He lacks real pace. The range of Park’s talents appears narrow indeed.
Take away energy, a prodigious work ethic, and a professional commitment to the life of a footballer and what is Park for?
Yet, it is surely foolish to believe that a manager as successful as Sir Alex keeps a player with such limitations in his squad at the behest of the club’s marketing men. If that were the case, the Chinese forward Dong Fangzhou would still be troubling United’s reserve team spectators with his shooting!
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