Ferguson Hails Park`s 1st Start of Season

Manchester United Coach Alex Ferguson has hailed Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, who made his first start of the English Premier League season against Birmingham Wednesday.

Ferguson said Park and teammate Nemanja Vidić showed a fantastic performance in United’s 1-0 home win over Birmingham.

Park started for the first time since returning to the team after suffering a severe knee injury on March 31 last year. He spent nine months in rehab before returning to the Red Devils this season in a game against Sunderland.

His coach praised Park for coming back with impressive energy levels despite a lengthy layoff due to injury.

Park alternately covered both sides in the game, and impressed with his energy and defense as his nickname "Oxygen Tank" suggests. He cut through the Birmingham defense, narrowly missed a number of decent scoring opportunities.

Sky Sports gave Park a player rating of seven points, saying “We are all pleased that Park has finally got football under his belt.”

United won the game thanks to Carlos Tevez’s goal, but still trails by two points to Arsenal for the league lead.

yjongk@donga.com