Ji-sung Park’s name often comes up in social media discussions about the most underrated Premier League players of all time.
However, at Old Trafford, the former South Korean international was far from underappreciated.
During his seven-year spell at Manchester United, Park made over 40 appearances in both the 2005–06 and 2008–09 seasons, only missing out on at least 20 appearances in one season.
While at Old Trafford, Park won every domestic honor except the FA Cup. He claimed three League Cups, four Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, and the Club World Cup before moving to Queens Park Rangers in 2012.
Despite the club wanting him to stay, Park made over 200 appearances for United. In a 2021 interview with the UTD Podcast, he shared that he knew it was time to leave.
“I missed five games in a row without being injured during my final season (2011–12),” Park explained on the podcast.
“That was a sign for me that it was time to move on. I had always contributed, and while missing up to three games in a row due to injuries wasn’t unusual, missing five as a healthy player was really tough. So, I knew it was time to leave the club.”
Park spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson about his decision, and although the club wanted him to stay, he felt it was the right moment to depart. He mentioned that several players had begun to realize he was leaving.
Park admitted that leaving Manchester United was difficult and shared that he still keeps a letter from Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It was really hard because it was the first club I’d been at for seven years,” he said.
“I had everything there—family, friends, a familiar environment. It felt like home. But at 31, I knew this was probably my last move and my final contract, so I had to make the decision to leave.”
“Sir Alex Ferguson understood how I felt. I still have the letter he wrote to me, and it means a lot. I’m grateful for it and proud to have played under him at United.”
Park added that while they didn’t talk much in person about his departure, Ferguson later revealed in the letter that his grandson didn’t want Park to leave.
Reflecting on their time together, Park expressed how fortunate he was to work with Ferguson, saying they had a great relationship.
