United fan Mark Froggatt praises Ji-sung Park’s impact on the
Reds…
When Sir Alex Ferguson announced the signing of Ji-sung Park in
the summer of 2005, my immediate reaction was one of complete
scepticism. I theorised how the South Korean was only bought to
boost shirt sales in Asia and would provide very little influence
on first-team action.
At the time, United were two seasons without a league title and
some of Sir Alex’s signings, uncharacteristically, had not worked
out, most notably in the shape of Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba.
I feared Park would be next.
Typically, my doubts over the manager’s transfer activity were
exposed as a naïve assumption about Asian football, as Park
excelled in a United shirt and won over my respect (not that it’s
worth much).
At present, the South Korean midfielder is a cult hero among the
Old Trafford support and holds membership to a select group of
players at United who may not command many column inches, but make
enough impact to deserve them.
I’m talking of course about the likes of Darren Fletcher, John
O’Shea and Michael Carrick – who are the complete 21st-century
squad players and unsung heroes. The types of players that will
walk away with nothing at this Sunday’s end-of-season awards
ceremony, but deserve everything.
Park has proved to be a vital cog in the United machine after
scoring big-game goals against Middlesbrough and Arsenal – and if
you believe what you read in the papers, his starting place against
Barcelona is guaranteed.
However, I am beginning to lose count of the arguments I’ve had
with opposition supporters, who still fail to recognise the talents
of South Korea’s captain and question his adulation at Old
Trafford. But my response is always simple.
Contrary to reports, United fans are not the fickle,
glory-hunting prawn sandwich brigade the media portrays us to be.
We recognise when players give everything they’ve got for the cause
and Park does just that – and more. His attitude is a joy to behold
and barring perhaps Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, he covers more
ground than anyone else on the pitch.
A more critical individual may point to Park’s lack of end
product in important areas, but for me, he more than makes up for
that in heart and soul.
Credit is due of course to the big man himself, Sir Alex, who
not only recognised a raw talent but saw in him the right kind of
spirit and determination that was going to take the club forward.
Also, a fee of just £4million looks a real bargain when measured by
today’s inflated transfer market.
So in a time when some professional footballers are spotted in
nightclubs more often than on the training pitch, Ji-Sung Park is
not only a credit to himself, but to the game as a whole. And I am
proud to call him a United player.