Thursday, May 7, 2009

UEFA Champions League 'Park will play final'


Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted South Korea winger Park Ji-Sung will play in the Champions League final as a reward for his heroic display in Manchester United's semifinal win over Arsenal.

Ferguson is determined to give Park his moment in the spotlight because he believes the 28-year-old is one of his most under-rated players.

Park emphasised his value to United with a typically energetic and effective performance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

He gave United the perfect start with an alert finish after Kieran Gibbs slipped while trying to clear Cristiano Ronaldo's cross.

Then he played a key role in United's third goal with a sweeping cross-field pass to Wayne Rooney, who centred for Ronaldo to score.

Park, who also scored in Saturday's win at Middlesbrough, suffered the worst moment of his career last season when Ferguson couldn't even find him a place on the bench for the Champions League final victory over Chelsea in Moscow.

But, speaking after United's 4-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal, Ferguson revealed that the former PSV Eindhoven star is set to get his wish to play in Europe's showpiece final in Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

"He's one of the most under-rated players," Ferguson said, "He came back from South Korea tired last month but we gave him a break for two weeks. He's refreshed and you saw the results of that against Arsenal.

"If you watch the game again, you will see the running of Park and Darren Fletcher. They were star men.

"Park never stopped running and his movement and use of space was very good. I don't think he'll be disappointed (in the final) this time."

Fletcher, though, will play no part - a substitute in the last final though he didn't get on the pitch - as he was sent-off and despite not seemingly touching Cesc Fabregas in the penalty area there is no recourse for an appeal under UEFA rules.

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