If Sir Alex Ferguson were to justify the lack of direct replacements for the now Real Madrid and Manchester City players by pointing out that Park could simply slot into the starting line-up, most would dismiss the notion as fanciful.
Without a prolific goal-scoring record, Park also doesn’t boast particularly silky technique or raw physicality and tenacity, qualities that characterized the aforementioned departed duo. Looking at the rest of the United line-up, the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra can lay claim to qualities that allow them to be classified as world class.
It isn’t a term used to describe the South Korea captain when his name comes up. Instead, a rather cliché depiction of an honest and hard-working footballer has stuck to the 29 year-old. Not a world-beater but a useful squad member, appears to be the verdict.
“Park is rightly renowned for his engine and his ability to cover every inch of grass is invaluable. However, this doesn't show the whole picture,” says Goal.com UK’s Matt Monaghan.
“In particular, he and Wayne Rooney seem to excel playing off one another. Their one touch play and Park's ability to find space - previously hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson - make him a useful player.”
This season might just change the widespread perception of Park simply as a squad player at United, with the former PSV Eindhoven man coming to the fore at a time where his employers desperately need to get the most of all the playing resources at their disposal.
 “Park is a manager's dream in an era tarnished by the petulant behaviour of players like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.” |
Without the goals of Tevez, Ronaldo and the aforementioned Rooney – who is desperately out of form – and Ryan Giggs edging closer toward retirement, this is Park’s moment.
The careers of professional footballers can make or break on delicate periods such as these and Park has grabbed his opportunity with both hands, netting four times in the English Premier League this season. It might just be that he is finally nailing down a starting spot in Ferguson’s side, putting behind him painful memories of a recurring knee injury that had previously hampered his United career.
A key figure in the Red Devils’ run to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, his omission from the match day squad despite his match-winning performances in the competition perhaps best summed up his predicament. Ferguson quipped that it was one of the most difficult decisions of his managerial career.
Whilst it might seem patronizing, there’s no doubting the manager’s admiration for Park.
“He regularly speaks fondly of Park and who could blame him?” says Monaghan. “Park is a manager's dream in an era tarnished by the petulant behaviour of players like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.”
Indeed, Park is renowned for staying out of the limelight, rarely giving interviews to the English-speaking media and keeping his private life shielded. It is a humility that has endeared him to teammates, supporters and the club’s administration.
There’s no doubting however the sheer marketability of Park, particularly back in his homeland, where his name has been utilized by Nike, Gillete, Caltex and Shin Ramyun noodles.
Cynics might have once suggested that his move to United back in 2005 was nothing more than a business move by a club looking to take advantage of an exciting new market in Asia.
If that were the case, then it has proved to be one of the more astute dealings done by the English club in recent years.
To give you an impression of just how much United’s popularity in Korea has risen as a result of Park’s move, Goal.com Korea's Yonghun Lee recently described the country as the “Republic of Man Utd”, with a weekly fixation on the individual’s fortunes.
Park's Big United Moments
Joins Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven. OCTOBER 2005 Becomes first ever Asian player to captain Manchester United when he takes the armband from Ryan Giggs in the UEFA Champions League vs Lille. DECEMBER 2005 Scores first ever United goal in 3-1 win over Birmingham in the League Cup. APRIL 2006Scores first league goal for club in 2-0 win over Arsenal. APRIL 2008 Turns in match-winning performance for club in UEFA Champions League semi final win against Barcelona. Surprisingly dropped for final against Chelsea next month. DECEMBER 2008Makes 100th appearance for Manchester United against Tottenham. MAY 2009 Becomes first ever Asian player to participate in UEFA Champions League final. Barcelona beat United 2-0. |
The versatile winger has proven an equally valuable asset on the pitch for the club, silencing suggestions his was a transfer motivated by economics.
Goals like that against Arsenal this weekend better illustrate how important Park has been and is becoming to Ferguson at a time where the margins are particularly fine in the title race; it might just be that his superb show of reflexes against the Gunners is a turning point.
Given his unassuming style of play and behaviour, that’s what it takes for Park to prove himself to those unfamiliar with what he regularly offers to United.
In doing so he continues to honour the legacy of Korean legend Cha Bum-Kun, who over 30 years ago paved the way for his future fellow countrymen in the Bundesliga.
Where other Asian players are often unable to last the distance in the unforgiving professional climate that is the Premier League and Europe in general, Park’s adaptability and mental strength allow him to fly the flag for his country and continent as Cha once did. He remains the doyen of Asia’s Europe-based stars and rightly so.
Not that you need to tell that to Alex Ferguson or the Manchester United faithful, who not for the first time will be counting on his many qualities this season.
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