While Manchester United is flooded with a number of players that can choose to make to headlines daily if they wanted(Ron...did it for 3 months), there is a bunch of 'a few good men who are modest and only want to be known for their performances on pitch. Park Ji Sung is one of those United players that you never hear about in the press(at times some even forget we have a Korean within the ranks). The former PSV Eindhoven midfielder has so far had a stop-start career at Old Trafford mainly because of injuries(though not as bad as Saha's).While his energy and work ethic on pitch make him a vital piece of the puzzle at OT, Park has found it difficult to command a regular place in the side given the competition in midfield from Hargreaves, Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo and Giggs or Nani if you like. He missed the first 6 months of the previous campaign due to injury but returned just in time to revitalize and oil a Manchester United machine that was fast depreciating(Boro away 2-2, Blackburn away 1-1, Chelsea away 2-1 defeat). United, towards the end of the season looked as though they had been hit by the same virus that knocked out Arsenal. Park was one of those players whom we needed at that time and he didn't disappoint. We all remember his burst down the right wing and that pass to Rooney to equalise against Middlesbrough, and what about his double header performance against Barca at the Camp Nou and the return leg at OT(in which he nearly scored)He also masterminded our 2-0 away win in Rome(making the assist for the crucial second goal). It must have been disappointing for him when he failed to make the squad for that Champions League final and yet he was one of the heroes of that famous night at OT. He unfortunately aggravated his knee injury whilst on International duty in the summer but in an interview with MUTV Park has stated that he will be back in training within the week. He hopes to make the squad for the game against Portsmouth and essentially remain fit through-out the season. Personally I still think we have not seen the best of Park at OT. A run in the side without injury problem again will go a long way in helping us achieve that. He is one of those players with a lot of untapped potential (because he spends a good number of months in the hospital). Here's to wishing Park a great 2008/2009 season!Labels: JI SUNG PARK
