Joyride
Park Asserts Himself in Manchester United’s Title Run
By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
It looked like Park Ji-sung had become a forgotten man for Manchester United, rendered invisible by an ill-timed injury and manager Alex Ferguson's lust for stockpiling top talents.
However, the 27-year-old South Korea international has forced himself back into conversation recently with impressive displays in April and May and now has a league trophy to show for it.
Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half penalty and Ryan Giggs' second-half strike proved to be enough for the Red Devils to secure their English Premier League title with a 2-0 victory against Wigan at JJB Stadium.
It was a second consecutive title for United and the 10th championship won under Ferguson, part of an overall haul of 17 English trophies for the club that is only one adrift of Liverpool.
Park, who received the winner's medal on stretchers last season, could take pride that he had more say over United's title run this time around down the stretch.
The midfielder solidified his reputation as a winner by claiming his fourth league title in European football, including two with PSV Eindhoven.
Park could add to his collection of hardware by the end of the month with United set for a showdown against Premiership runner-up Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow.
``I didn't even know it was my eighth championship (including cup wins) as a pro," said Park, struggling to count his J-League Division 2 championship and Emperor's Cup win with Japan's Kyoto Sanga FC, where he began his professional career in 2000.
``No matter how many times you win, the degree of excitement is always the same and it never gets old.
``I was shelved for a long time because of the knee injury, and I am grateful just for the fact that I am able to be out their displaying my abilities as a player. I have no regrets.''
Completing Uphill Climb
Stat heads may resist praising a player who registered only one goal and an assist in 11 appearances in the regular season.
But those who followed United's 2007-2008 campaign more closely would agree that Park has indeed made progress by completing an unlikely uphill climb from the bottom of Ferguson's pecking order when he seemed destined to be buried by flashier names such as Nani and Giggs.
Recovering from an offseason surgery on his right knee, Park made a belated season debut on Dec. 27 against Sunderland, his first action in nine months, but was mostly anonymous for the next three months as Ferguson yanked around his minutes.
However, his industrious performance against AS Roma in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal last month proved as a turning point for Park as he reestablished his status with the team.
Park has recently been getting the call over Giggs in key matches, starting in both legs of the Champions League semifinals against Barcelona and being favored once again for Sunday's match against Wigan.
But this time, it was Giggs' turn to play role reversal, replacing Park in the 68th minute and connecting on Wayne Rooney's through ball 20 minutes later to break the will of the opponents.
``I don't care whether I start or come off from the bench," said Park, when asked about his minutes, adding to his line of predictable and sugarcoated comments.
``Different strategies sometimes require different players, and it has been that way for me all season," he said. ``I am always focused on contributing in the way the team wants me to, displaying my skills on the pitch without making mistakes.''
Rare Survivor
Park's success with English football's greatest team starkly contrasts with the struggles of his compatriots who are proving ill-fitted to the pace and physical play that defines the Premiership.
Once hailed by former Tottenham manager Martin Jol as one of the best fullbacks in Europe, Spurs defender Lee Young-pyo is now seen as expendable by new boss Juande Ramos.
Although no one would question Lee's work ethic on the pitch, his weakness in the air, declining coverage and inability to whip quality crosses may have written his eulogy from English football.
Fulham striker Seol Ki-hyeon has regressed to a disinterested cheerleader on the bench, while Middlesbrough forward Lee Dong-gook managed to put himself in discussions about the most ineffective player in the Premier League, despite limited exposure.
Other than Park, midfielder Kim Doo-hyun of West Bromwich Albion, which recently earned a Premier League promotion after topping the Championship, is the only Korean player currently assured a future in English football.