To those who ever doubted the little Korean dynamo’s quality, now would be the time to repent – Park Ji Sung could just be United’s saviour.
Park has sparkled in recent weeks playing a more central midfield role, but he could also prove central to Manchester United’s title charge.
After his stunning Carling Cup final performance (which helped United beat Aston Villa 2-1), I wrote here that if he could start scoring those near misses he has in every game, he would become a real potent player and indispensable to United’s Premier League battle.
And he sure has risen to the occasion, scoring against Arsenal, AC Milan and now Liverpool, all while putting in equally impressive performances.
Against Liverpool, he oozed class in a central midfield role right behind Rooney. His clever footwork, movement and passing made him the fulcrum in the United attack, linking play between Nani, Rooney and Valencia.
He kept United ticking by constantly making himself available to receive the ball, and keeping it moving smartly whenever it came his way.
Playing in a more advanced role, he also showed that he could be a goal-scoring threat as well now. He did well to find space and out-jump the Liverpool defence twice, though both headers went wide under pressure. But he didn’t miss his third chance, bravely diving in to a head home a dangerous Darren Fletcher cross.
As usual, he did his fair share of tracking back, earning him a rousing standing ovation by the Old Trafford faithful when he was replaced by Paul Scholes, looking absolutely exhausted.
Now opponents will be careful not to focus too much on Rooney, who has been bearing United’s goal-scoring burden alone for too long. Park is now regaining the confidence to put away his chances, and with the amount of turf he covers every game, he will always get chances.
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