Five Cantonas

For some reason, all sorts of rumours have popped up today suggesting that Park could be on his way out of Old Trafford.

The WUM award goes to whichever idiot suggested that we could be swapping him with Santos to get Neymar, an absolutely ludicrous suggestion that deserves every bit of derison that it gets. More realistically, he’s apparently a target for Atletico Madrid, who will try and get us to include him in the David De Gea deal (assuming it’s not already agreed), and long-term admirers Sevilla.

Park himself has, perhaps unwittingly, fanned the flames by suggesting that he’s not certain to retire whilst playing for United. The comment may be worring taken out of the context in which it was made, but the overall message he was getting across was that he doesn’t know how much longer he can continue to play at the highest level and, should he fall short of those standards, might need to move elsewhere to continue playing football regularly.

The little Korean has just one year left on his deal, but is widely expected to sign an extension upon his return to pre-season training. We absolutely have to sign him up because it would be lunacy to let him go.

Park offers us a unique option on the flanks, is a model professional and has proven time and time again that he is the man for the big occasion. Chelsea know all bout Park after his brilliant performances against them in the second half of last season, and he also got a vital winner against Arsenal back in the winter.

Besides, how much would a like-for-like replacement for Park Ji-Sung cost us, assuming such a player even exists? Perhaps Fergie envisages Fabio and / or Rafael in the role?

Regardless, letting Park leave this summer would be a disaster. We cannot even contemplate it.