Manchester United May Bid For Park Ji-sung

Coach Alex Ferguson of the world-famous Manchester United soccer club is reportedly set to bid for PSV Eindhoven’s South Korean international Park Ji-sung, setting off a buzz in the British online soccer community. After the Mirror, a British newspaper, broke the news on June 2, many Manchester United fans posted welcoming comments and weighed the benefits and costs of the possible acquisition.

In particular, the specific knowledge of soccer fans in England and Europe about Park’s ability clearly demonstrated his enhanced status after he scored in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League tournament this year.

Internet site Manchester Online (www.manchesteronline.co.uk) posted the Mirror’s news article, and many European fans posted their comments and opinions on the possible acquisition. While showing good feeling toward Park, a fan by the name of “Ronny” said, “I see him on the wing and not in the central midfield.” Another fan, “Brian,” assessed the possibility, saying, “If story is true, then it’s terrific buying at great value. I think he is the right kind of player for United, with a fighting spirit just like Heinze, Smith, and Rooney.”

On the other hand, skepticism also existed. “Red Tom” said, “Park is useless. We need Gattuso.” Another critic, “Dave,” cynically remarked that “United is after a Korean who played a couple of good games in a tournament.”

Although not everybody among Manchester United fans are welcoming Park, the fact that United’s coach has eyes on Park with the intention of bringing him in is making headlines in Britain.

Jae-Yun Jung jaeyuna@donga.com