*All times CAT (GMT+2)

Football | Barclays Premier League

Fergie salutes 'fantastic' Park



Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has hailed QPR's South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung as "one of the best professionals" he has had during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford.

Park left United in July to join QPR in a £2 million deal which ended his seven-year spell at United, during which the South Korean won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, and three League Cups.

The 31-year-old, who has missed the last four matches with a knee injury, may not recover in time to face his former club when QPR visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

But Ferguson still took the opportunity to lavish praise on Park as he recalled the midfielder's crucial contributions in big matches, especially the 7-2 aggregate win over AC Milan in the Champions League in 2010.

"He was truly fantastic, particularly in big games," Ferguson said. "I loved playing him in the big games. His record against Arsenal, for instance, was fantastic.

"The Milan games over there and at Old Trafford, when I asked Park to play directly against (Andrea) Pirlo, are memorable.

"He never gave Pirlo a kick and he kept running off him which was brilliant too. Park had roles that only a disciplined and selfless player could have.

"That's exactly what he was, selfless. He played for the team and whatever role you gave him, he would stick to that role. He was a really wonderful, disciplined professional for us."

Shop

Gerrard: My Autobiography
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team.
R118.00
Red: My autobiography
No player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.
R195.00
The Professor: Arsene Wenger
Idealistic, passionate and scientific, Arsene Wenger led the modernisation of English football
R138.00
FIFA 13
All-new Attacking Intelligence infuses players with the most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved
R564.95


Comments

More expert analysis and opinion from Sport24
The opinions expressed by Sport24 experts and bloggers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily represent those of SuperSport

Sports Talk



Dr Errol Sweeney
Why are referees explaining their decisions?
Match officials make mistakes because they are like you and me - human. However, in modern...

John Dykes
A day for sentiment, stats and hard cash
The title may have been won weeks ago and the relegation issues settled seven days back but there...

Emeka Enyadike
Beckham, most popular football star
Is David Beckham the most famous football player ever? I tweeted from my @EmekaEnyadike handle and...

Segun Odegbami
Dortmund may surprise favourites
I cannot disguise my interest in Barcelona. I never hide my love for their style of play that is...

Calvin Emeka Onwuka
Not this time Arsenal
The league title is with Robin van Persie and his Manchester United teammates. Man City have...

Neil Tovey
Khune top of the class
Kaizer Chiefs are on the verge of clinching their first league title since 2005. One man’s name is...