Ferguson denies buying Park to boost Asia sales
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2010, Wednesday
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MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson said he signed Park Ji-sung for his capabilities on the field rather his ability to help sell more club shirts in South Korea.
Park scored the winning goal as United came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday after Rooney had scored his 33rd league and cup goal of the season, keeping the club two points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Ferguson said Park's commercial value wasn't an issue when he signed the South Korea winger from PSV Eindhoven in 2005. Instead, it was his work rate, intelligence and attitude.
"I didn't think that," Ferguson said. "When I went to see him play in those Champions League semifinals for PSV Eindhoven in 2005, I thought this is a player who understands football. He is intelligent and disciplined and he can play different positions. I had no issues about that at all."
Last week, Park said he was convinced United did not sign him to boost shirt sales, even though the club's two preseason tours of Asia has led to huge commercial spinoffs.
"I didn't get a sense of just being signed for commercial reasons," Park said. "I wanted to show that Asian players could make it in Europe."
After a goal that has taken United closer to an unprecedented fourth league title in a row, Park said he was delighted to hit the target against one of the team's biggest rivals but is a little frustrated he doesn't score more often.
"I want to score more goals for United and it doesn't matter who they are against," he said. "I know I should score more goals. I feel good scoring against the big teams like Arsenal, Milan and Liverpool but I want that experience more often."
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti said he will still be Chelsea manager next season even if he fails to win a title with the club this year.
Chelsea is still in contention for the Premier League and FA Cup but has been eliminated from the Champions League and has slipped to third in the English standings after taking just four points from three games.
Ancelotti acknowledged after last week's 0-1 loss to Inter Milan that he was under pressure but told Italian newspaper La Stampa that the Blues will do well in the remainder of the season.
Even so, Ancelotti said his "future will definitely be at Chelsea next year independent of results."
Chelsea heads to Portsmouth today. The Blues would usually be expected to pick up three easy points when it plays its game in hand against the league's last-place side, but is in what Ancelotti called a "difficult moment."
With Portsmouth putting up a spirited fight against almost certain relegation, Chelsea's trip to Fratton Park suddenly looks anything but straightforward.
"I don't know how many points we need to win the title but I know we have to win on Wednesday and then prepare game by game," Ancelotti said. "It will be more difficult now to win the title but it's not impossible. It's not an easy moment for us and we have to maintain our confidence and our composure."
Chelsea spent much of the season in first place but, since losing its 38-match unbeaten home streak to Manchester City on February 27, has spent only one day there.
Park scored the winning goal as United came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday after Rooney had scored his 33rd league and cup goal of the season, keeping the club two points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Ferguson said Park's commercial value wasn't an issue when he signed the South Korea winger from PSV Eindhoven in 2005. Instead, it was his work rate, intelligence and attitude.
"I didn't think that," Ferguson said. "When I went to see him play in those Champions League semifinals for PSV Eindhoven in 2005, I thought this is a player who understands football. He is intelligent and disciplined and he can play different positions. I had no issues about that at all."
Last week, Park said he was convinced United did not sign him to boost shirt sales, even though the club's two preseason tours of Asia has led to huge commercial spinoffs.
"I didn't get a sense of just being signed for commercial reasons," Park said. "I wanted to show that Asian players could make it in Europe."
After a goal that has taken United closer to an unprecedented fourth league title in a row, Park said he was delighted to hit the target against one of the team's biggest rivals but is a little frustrated he doesn't score more often.
"I want to score more goals for United and it doesn't matter who they are against," he said. "I know I should score more goals. I feel good scoring against the big teams like Arsenal, Milan and Liverpool but I want that experience more often."
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti said he will still be Chelsea manager next season even if he fails to win a title with the club this year.
Chelsea is still in contention for the Premier League and FA Cup but has been eliminated from the Champions League and has slipped to third in the English standings after taking just four points from three games.
Ancelotti acknowledged after last week's 0-1 loss to Inter Milan that he was under pressure but told Italian newspaper La Stampa that the Blues will do well in the remainder of the season.
Even so, Ancelotti said his "future will definitely be at Chelsea next year independent of results."
Chelsea heads to Portsmouth today. The Blues would usually be expected to pick up three easy points when it plays its game in hand against the league's last-place side, but is in what Ancelotti called a "difficult moment."
With Portsmouth putting up a spirited fight against almost certain relegation, Chelsea's trip to Fratton Park suddenly looks anything but straightforward.
"I don't know how many points we need to win the title but I know we have to win on Wednesday and then prepare game by game," Ancelotti said. "It will be more difficult now to win the title but it's not impossible. It's not an easy moment for us and we have to maintain our confidence and our composure."
Chelsea spent much of the season in first place but, since losing its 38-match unbeaten home streak to Manchester City on February 27, has spent only one day there.
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