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Will Park Ji-sung Start in Manchester United’s Premier League Opener?

Will Park Ji-sung Start in Manchester United’s Premier League Opener?

Posted July. 29, 2005 03:04,   

한국어

Park Ji-sung , who is currently playing in Asia Tour matches wearing the red uniform of Manchester United, is generating intense interest among Manchester United fans.

The Manchester Evening News reported on July 28 that Park Ji-sung is emerging as a potential starting member for United’s Premier League opening match against Everton on August 13. In an article that noted Park Ji-sung as a possible replacement for veteran Ryan Giggs, the paper commented that there had been a lot of adverse criticism when Park was first recruited, but that Park had blasted away such concerns in just four preseason matches.

The article also included praise from United coach Alex Ferguson who said, “Park Ji-sung is doing very well for us. He’s very flexible and fast, and I was deeply impressed by his energy.”

As Park rapidly rises in the public eye as a possible successor to Giggs, the debate among Manchester fans has also heated up.

A netizen identifying himself as “Komodo” stated, “Park Ji-sung is very fast, and participated the most aggressively in the match. He should play in Giggs’ place in the season opener. I’d really like to see him on the field.”

On the other hand, another netizen with the nickname “Nevs” defended Giggs, saying, “Giggs is still the best left wing in Europe. A Manchester United without Giggs will not be the same Manchester United as before.”

Manchester United fell to the Kashima Antlers, 1-2 in exhibition play on July 28. United will play another exhibition match against the Urawa Red Diamonds on August 30 at Saitama Stadium in Japan.



Jae-Yun Jung jaeyuna@donga.com