Park: Playing for United ´a privilege´

Park Ji-Sung will never forget his time with Manchester United after ending his seven-year stay with the club to join QPR.

The South Korean, who joined the Red Devils from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, announced his departure to Loftus Road on Monday for an undisclosed fee.

And the four-time Premier League-winning midfielder described playing for the Old Trafford outfit as a ‘privilege’.

“My time at United will last in my heart for the rest of my life,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s been a great privilege to be part of such a great team, to have won so much and to have played with special teammates and for the greatest manager in the game.

“I would like to thank everybody at the club who give their best every single day to put every player in the best condition to enjoy their football and achieve success.”

Park, who enjoyed cult status amongst the club’s fans, also had kind words for the Old Trafford faithful upon his departure.

“The fans have been fantastic to me and I will always remember them with great affection,” he said.

“Now, I’m looking forward to giving everything for a new challenge at QPR, where I will bring all my ambition and spirit I have gathered at United. (Those qualities) will be with me forever.”

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand said he was sad to see Park leave Old Trafford.

Ferdinand labelled Park a vital member of the United squad, in recognition of seven years’ service for the Red Devils and Ferdinand insists the winger will be sorely missed.

“Ji’s a fantastic player and a real players’ player. He’s been greatly appreciated by the other lads and the fans of our club over the years. He’s been a great servant and never been any trouble,” he told MUTV.

“He’s just a real selfless player who has always played for his team-mates and he was part of a very successful period for the club.

“I’m sad to see him go because he’s a really good lad as well – after three or four years he really came out of his shell and was one of the lads, making a lot of jokes. As I said I’m sad to see him go as he’s a really nice guy.”

The defender also praised Park’s work-rate and joked that he was not looking forward to facing him when the Red Devils meet the Hoops next season.

He added: “We’ll have to try and get in his hotel room the night before we play them and make sure he doesn’t sleep so he’s not running around against us at 100 miles an hour for the whole game!

“Ji is just a great player who is really appreciated by everyone in the squad.”