Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung Omitted From South Korea Squad

Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung has been omitted from the latest South Korea squad, allowing him extra time to prepare for the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

South Korea take on Paraguay in Seoul in a friendly on August 12 but coach Huh Jung-Moo has decided not to call-up the former PSV Eindhoven man.

Having already returned to pre-season training late following his World Cup commitments, Park may well have missed United's opening two fixtures against Birmingham City and Burnley had he travelled with the rest of his national squad.

With South Korea's place in next year's World Cup in South Africa already assured, Huh has recognised the importance of Park remaining in Manchester next week.

"There is a full list of fixtures and [Manchester United] have made new signings so the start of the season is very important for Park," the South Korea coach told the Press Association.

United have only recently returned home following their participation in the Audi Cup, where they lost out to Bayern Munich on penalties in the final.

The Red Devils take on Valencia in a friendly at Old Trafford on Wednesday before meeting Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

FC Seoul 2-3 Man Utd :But that was nothing compared to the cheer Ji got when he came on

Manchester United are ready to open talks with Ji-sung Park in a bid to extend the South Korean midfielder's contract at Old Trafford.

Park, set to face FC Seoul as United play the third game of their Far East tour on Friday, has met up with the squad in South Korea after being handed an extended summer break by manager Sir Alex Ferguson due to international duty during the summer.

The 28-year-old currently has just 12 months left on his current deal at United, despite emerging as a key player last season.

No deal has yet been struck to keep the former PSV Eindhoven player at United, but chief executive David Gill insists that moves are afoot to secure Park's long-term future.

Speaking in Seoul this morning, Gill said: "Those discussions will take place. We are looking to extend the contract, but there is no timing on it.

"Sir Alex (Ferguson) and his coaches very happy with him and we are looking to extend the deal, but there is no news at the moment.

"When there is something to announce, we will do so."

United enjoy huge popularity in South Korea and Gill admits that Park's presence only boosts their standing amongst the locals.

He said: "Ji was bought for football reasons obviously, but his presence has helped our commercial situation in the country without doubt.

"We have built a relationship with Kumho Tires, who are sponsoring the game, and Seoul Metropolitan Government and those commercial partners are very important to us."

When United last played in Seoul two years ago, Park was forced to miss the game due to a cruciate ligament injury.

But Ferguson admits that Park will play some part against his fellow countrymen tomorrow.

Ferguson said: "A decision will be taken on Friday about Ji-sung Park, but I'm sure he will be able to play some minutes.

"He hasn't been with us and done the same preparation as most of players, but he will be involved at some point and I'm sure that will give the supporters here a really big lift.

"He was injured and didn't play last time we were here, but I think he still won the man of the match award!

"When a local lad like JSP has left country to play and excel for Man U, at the very highest, the adulation he receives in own country is obvious.

"He has also been star of national team for few years. It is a football nation too, so when he comes back, the reaction is understandable."

Manchester United Visit Korea

Manchester United arrived in Korea today and their Korean energizer Park Ji-sung is preparing to stand in front of local fans wearing the Red Devils kit for the first time on Friday at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Man U, which is ranked first in the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), is visiting Korea for the first time since 2007. It will face K-League top team FC Seoul in the latest stop on its Asian tour.

In the team's first visit to Seoul two years ago, Man U's powerful offense, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, gave the visitors a 4-0 win.

Park did not play in that game because he was rehabilitating an injured knee.

But this time the 28-year-old Korean national team captain is expected to be in United's starting 11. Park had been taking a break since South Korea's international fixtures last month but will rejoin United in Seoul.

``As I don't have any experience of playing in the K-League, this meeting is great and special for me. And this is meaningful because I play for my club, Manchester United, not the national team,'' Park said.
The most significant change from two years ago is that Ronaldo is out and Michael Owen is in. Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in a record transfer earlier this month. Also absent will be Carlos Tevez, who departed for Manchester City.

Since joining Alex Ferguson's side, Owen has produced two goals in two consecutive Asian tour games.

Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov of Bulgaria will also be threats to score for United.

FC Seoul will look to national team midfielder Ki Sung-yueng to shoulder more of the load now that Lee Chung-yong has gone to London to complete his move to EPL club Bolton. Dejan Damjanovic of Montenegro and Jung Jo-gook will also be offensive threats for Seoul.

Park Ji-Sung to Join Manchester United in Seoul

After missing the beginning of Manchester United's southeast Asia tour, South Korean star Park Ji-Sung will join United in Seoul after United's two victories over Malaysia XI during this week.

It was originally believed that Park missed these first two games because he injured himself, just as he did two years ago when Park missed a similar tour after he tore his cruciate knee ligament.

However, Manchester United clarified this, stating that Park was given a few extra days off due to his role in South Korea's international fixtures last month and will join the team on Wednesday ahead of their match with FC Seoul on Friday.

Park, who is one of the few players from Asia to ever be successful in England, joined Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, and has become a very important member of a team that has won three English Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title in Park's time with the club.