Park Ji-Sung is set for a move from Manchester United to QPR.
He has been a consistent performer for United since signing in 2005, making more than 200 appearances and netting a number of important goals for the club.
Here is a rundown of five of the best/most important…
1) Winner v Chelsea in Champions League, 2011
United went into this game on a high from a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, courtesy of a Wayne Rooney goal. Javier Hernandez had set United looking comfortably with a goal just before half-time through Javier Hernandez from a Ryan Giggs cross. Didier Drogba entered the fray, on for the non-descript Fernando Torres, and levelled the game at 1-1. While United led 2-1, a Chelsea goal would send United crashing out on away goals. Moments later Park Ji-Sung had his moment and United counter-attacked, and Giggs picked him out. The Korean made no mistake, scoring past Petr Cech, clinching the tie at 3-1 on aggregate.
2) Goal v Arsenal in Champions League, 2009
It may not have been the most difficult of goals Park will have scored for United, but it will sit as one of the most high profile. Again in the second leg of a Champions League tie against an English team, United led 1-0 from the first leg thanks to a John O’Shea strike. Arsenal strongly fancied turning the tie around at the Emirates, but started nervously. Cristiano Ronaldo crossed a ball in, which Kieran Gibbs was expected to clear. Instead the young left-back slipped badly, allowing Park a tap in for a vital away goal. Cristiano Ronaldo would go onto add two more, but it was Park’s opener which deflated Arsenal and their fans, and set United on their way for a showdown with Barcelona.
3) Header v Arsenal in Premier League, 2010
Arsene Wenger’s side came into December fixture above United, but ended it two points behind. A goalkeeping injury crisis led Arsenal to throw in youngster Wojciech Szczesny for a first league start, and he was impressive. One effort he could not keep out was Park’s winner, just before half-time. Nani got the better of Gael Clichy to lift the ball into the box, and Park angled his header over the Pole into the back of the net. It was his third goal in three games against Arsenal and it wasn’t his last. The goal was crucial in handing United the psychological initiative going into the festive fixtures.
4) Winner v Liverpool in Premier League, 2010
A year after Fernando Torres inspired Liverpool to a memorable 4-1 win at Old Trafford, he brought back bad memories when he rose to open the scoring and put Liverpool 1-0 up. It was March, and with United battling Chelsea for the title they could not afford to drop points. Rooney scored a penalty to level the scoring, and on the 60-minute mark Park Ji-Sung emphasised just why he has his reputation as a big game player. Darren Fletcher put a cross in, and Park dived in ahead of Glen Johnson to nod home. It was a goal worthy of winning such an encounter, and while United eventually lost out on the title that year, beating Liverpool gave them a moment to smile about.
5) Goal v Arsenal in Premier League, 2010
With United’s Ronaldo led Champions League win at the Emirates fresh in the memory, the Gunners were keen to avenge the loss, especially as the Portuguese winger had left the club. Instead it was Nani who tormented the Gunners, by looping in an early goal over Manuel Almunia and then Wayne Rooney scored a stunning second. After half-time it was Park’s turn to get in on the act, he picked up the ball midway through the Gunners half, and all the defenders just backed off him, wary of putting a tackle in. The Korean made no mistake in clinically shooting the ball in for United’s third. A late consolation from Vermaelen meant the game finished identically to the match months before, 3-1.
Which was your most memorable Park goal?
image: © Magnus D
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