Ji-sung Park’s name frequently comes up in discussions about the most underappreciated Premier League players of all time, but for those familiar with his time at Old Trafford, he was anything but underappreciated.
Park spent seven years at Manchester United, where he made over 200 appearances, including more than 40 matches in the 2005–06 and 2008–09 seasons. He only failed to reach 20 appearances in one campaign.
During his time at United, Park was instrumental in the team’s success, securing numerous honors. He won three League Cups, four Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, and the Club World Cup. The only domestic trophy that eluded him was the FA Cup. Despite the club’s desire for him to stay, Park decided to move on in 2012, joining Queens Park Rangers.
In a 2021 interview on the UTD Podcast, Park opened up about his decision to leave United. He shared that it became clear to him during his final season at the club that it was time to go. “I missed five games in a row without being injured during the last season [2011–12],” Park explained.
For a player who had consistently contributed to the team, missing five consecutive matches without injury was a sign that things were changing. He added, “If there were no injuries, I could have missed up to three games in a row, but as a player, five is really difficult. So, I believed it was time for me to leave the club.”
Park had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s legendary manager, about his future. Though Ferguson and the club wanted him to stay, Park felt it was the right moment to depart. “It was the first time I had missed five games in a row without being hurt. That told me it was time for me to go,” Park said. He mentioned that many of the players only realized he was leaving around that time.
Leaving Old Trafford wasn’t easy for Park, who had spent seven years at the club, building friendships and feeling at home in Manchester. “It was really difficult since this was the first club I had ever attended for seven years,” he reflected. “Families, friends, and everything was there—it felt like home.” At 31, Park knew that his playing career was nearing its end and that moving on was the right decision, but the transition was still emotionally challenging.
One of the most meaningful moments from his departure was a letter he received from Ferguson. Park shared that he still keeps the letter, which holds a great deal of significance for him.
In the letter, Ferguson revealed that his grandson did not want Park to leave the club. Park expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play under Ferguson, saying, “I am incredibly happy to have worked with him since we had a terrific relationship.”
Though his departure marked the end of an era for both Park and Manchester United, his contributions to the club are fondly remembered by fans and teammates alike.
