Many soccer stars come and go at the British Premier League’s Manchester United, but South Korean player Park Ji-sung is among the stars most missed by the prestigious club’s fans, a U.S.-based sports media outlet reported.

San Francisco-based Bleacher Report published an article about the four athletes Manchester United’s fans “wish had never left,” in which it placed the South Korean midfielder at No. 3.

“Though Park Ji-Sung has not, and will not, ever be a player as talented as Ronaldo, he was a vital cog in the United squad from 2005-2012,” Jake Nisse of the Bleacher Report wrote.

Widely considered one of the best Asian soccer players of all time, he was key in Man U’s successful run in the decade. During his tenure at Manchester, the club captured five league titles and won several top soccer tournaments including the Champions League Finals.

Due to his rare ability to step up his game for important matches, he earned a reputation as a “big game player.” United’s then-manager Alex Ferguson awarded tireless Park with chances to play in key matches, and Park would seldom come short of expectations.

Park, however, came off a dismal first season with his new team Queen’s Park Rangers.

“But no one would mind a quick, elusive cult hero returning to the midfield,” according to Nisse.

The other players on the list were Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, Paul Pogba of Juventus and Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona.



From news reports
(khnews@heraldcorp.com)