United to Give Park Ji-sung Contract Extension

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung will likely sign an extension with the defending English Premier League champion.

United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson told the BBC Saturday that new contracts will be offered to Park and veteran right-back Gary Neville, adding, "(Park) has been fantastic for us and is one of our most consistent players."

Park joined the league on a one-year contract in August 2005. The following year, he signed a four-year extension that ends in the summer of 2010.

Given the practice of extending a contract one year prior to the expiration of an existing deal, Park has expressed uncertainty over his future, saying the team has not approached him about an extension.

The report said Ferguson mistakenly thought Park had agreed on an extension but insists the former PSV Eindhoven star will get a new deal “when the time is right.”

United also welcomed into its fold the Serbian duo of left-wing Zoran Tosic and midfielder Adem Ljajic Saturday.

Called “the second Ryan Giggs,” Tosic has played in 12 games for the Serbian national team, including in the Beijing Olympics last year.

Tosic is considered a promising star who is likely to play immediately and give Park heavy competition for the starting spot at left wing.

creating@donga.com