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Staff Reporter
Manchester United CEO David Gill said the club will hold talks with Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung about a possible contract extension, but declined to get into details.
``Those discussions will take place to extend his contract. Alex is happy with Ji-sung. I think he is happy having time with
 Manchester United Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, third from left, runs with his teammates during team practice. Man United will meet K-League's top club FC Seoul in a friendly match at 8 p.m. Friday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium as part of their Asia tour. The English Premier League (EPL) champion Manchester United will move to China on Saturday. |
Despite earlier reports that a verbal agreement had been reached, it appears that negotiations are still ongoing.
The club's manager Sir Alex Ferguson also applauded the national team captain.
``Park has a great understanding of place. He is very clever. And also he has developed a lot. He has done very very well.''
Gill, and his FC Seoul counterpart, Jung Jong-soo, as well as the Premier League club's manager Sir Alex Ferguson and FC Seoul counterpart Senol Gunes took part in the press conference ahead of Friday's friendly match between the two clubs. Man U goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar and FC Seoul midfielder and captain Kim Chi-gon also took part.
The 2009 UEFA Champions League runners-up had training at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday morning.
``We are very glad to come back here. We had a fantastic game two years ago. We are also pleased that Ji-sung Park joined. I'm sure it will be great game. The tour is a key part of the preseason,'' Gill said.
``Welcome to David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson. I want this match be a reward for fans, who have loved FC Seoul and the K-League. I also ask Korean fans to love K-League more than now,'' FC Seoul CEO Jung said. ``I hope the K-League also becomes world-class league like the English Premier League.
Ferguson reflected on the friendly held two years ago.
``Park could not play at the time because he was injured. We are looking forward to him playing in this game.''
FC Seoul manager Gunes also welcomed the guests.
``We lost 4-0 to the club two years ago though we did our best at the time. Now, we are better than before. We will do our best to win. We are pleased to face a great team. We are also becoming like them.
``At that time, we were not experienced. Now we are strong candidate to be the K-League winner, and the hope of Korean football. We are young and have abundant experience. We have a hope.''
Man U goalkeeper Van der Sar also expressed a short message.
``It's our second time we here. We hope to enjoy the game. Thank you.''
FC Seoul captain Kim Chi-gon said the team will be playing to win.
``We want to have pleasant time because it is just friendly. But at the same time, I want to show them that there is a great team and players in Korea.
``It is an honor to play with Manchester United. It is also good chance to test where our team is now.''
Ferguson mentioned about former striker Cristiano Ronaldo. ``Ronaldo left us. He was fantastic player. But, we are not very different, though. We will maintain a high level of success.''
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