Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it will be disappointing to lose Park Ji-Sung for the Asian Cup and the South Korean midfielder has mixed feelings about swapping his club for his country after Christmas.
Park Ji-Sung celebrates with Nani after scoring his fourth goal against Arsenal
PA PhotosPark Ji-Sung celebrates with Nani after scoring his fourth goal against Arsenal
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Park scored his sixth goal of the season as United beat title-rivals Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford on Monday night to put his club top of the Premier League. The 29-year-old is a key player for United but he will head to Qatar following United's Boxing Day match against Sunderland to represent his country in the Asian Cup.
Ferguson said: "Ji is in fantastic form. Unfortunately we are going to lose him for seven matches after December 26. It is disappointing."
Should the Koreans be knocked out early during the three-week tournament, Park will be back sooner. But as they are one of the favourites to lift the trophy, that seems unlikely. And having been one of United's most impressive performers recently, Park accepts that, for once, he will join up with his countrymen with a heavy heart.
"I have mixed feelings about the Asian Cup,'' he said. "At the moment I am playing with confidence, so I do feel a bit strange about going. But I am always happy to join my national team as well.
"Even without me Manchester United have enough players to keep winning, so I will concentrate on the national team and then focus on Manchester United.''
Park's fine first-half header on Monday night was the fourth time he has scored against the Gunners. The latest effort was amongst the most spectacular as he had to act fast to change his body position as Nani's right-wing cross bounced down off Gael Clichy.
"It was a strange goal,'' he said. "The ball changed direction so I had to move suddenly. I thought it was going to hit the post. But finally it went in and I was able to celebrate. It was a good goal for me and the team.''
It put United in pole position, two points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City, with a game in hand.
Should Sir Alex Ferguson's side follow up their triumph by winning at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to extend their unbeaten start to 17 matches, they will really start to believe a record 19th league title is going to be theirs in May.
"At the moment we are in a great position,'' said Park. "But there is still a long way to go in the league. We always seem to play very well in the winter so we just have to try and keep our performances up.''
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