Mixed injury news for Reds

April 27, 2007

Ji-Sung Park

SIR Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung will miss the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury.

Park has flown to the United States after Old Trafford medical staff were unable to find the exact cause of the problem he picked up against Blackburn on March 31.

The South Korean is due to undergo surgery today at Dr Richard Steadman’s clinic in Colorado.

And, while United await a further diagnosis, Ferguson confirmed Park will play no further part in the remainder of the season.

“We have not been able to get to the bottom of it, so we have sent him to the best specialist in the world,” said the United boss.

“Unfortunately, it puts and end to his season.”

Park had the option of going to a different clinic in Sweden but given Steadman’s expertise, it is no surprise he opted to fly across the Atlantic.

Steadman has a reputation for successful cruciate ligament operations, with former United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy and current England striker Michael Owen among his exclusive patient list.

“Ji was initially examined by our own physios but, as ever with these situations, if you have complications, you send the player to a specialist,” added Ferguson.

“We either had to operate or let nature take its course.

Concern

“Because there was no clear reason for the injury, we knew it was bad enough for us to be concerned, which is why he has gone to America.”

There is some good news on the injury front for United though, with Louis Saha expected to be in the Red Devils squad for the crucial trip to Everton.

Saha has not featured since the win over Liverpool at the beginning of last month but the Frenchman appears sufficiently happy about his recovery from long-standing hamstring problems to put his body on the line once more.

In addition, Ferguson is considering whether to plunge Nemanja Vidic straight back into the fray against AC Milan next week providing a scan on the broken collarbone he suffered against Blackburn offers a positive result.

“Nemanja has been training really well,” said Ferguson.

“He has a scan on Monday and once we get the results of that, we have a decision to make.”

Ferguson is also optimistic Rio Ferdinand will be fit for the trip to Italy, although he admitted there is no chance of his record signing being risked at Goodison Park.

“Rio won’t play tomorrow but hopefully he will be okay for Wednesday,” he said.

Skipper Gary Neville definitely won’t be involved in either game, although Ferguson confirmed there has been some recent improvement in the full-back’s ankle injury.

“There is an improvement,” he said.

“I don’t know if we have done too much because he got some swelling on the injury.

“But we gave him a special boot to wear and the swelling has gone down. Now we just have to map out the right recovery for him.”

What is your verdict on Park's season? Have your say.

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K Stand Red, Salford (27/04/2007 at 10:10)

So many reports about him being out for a year.

If he's been to see Steadman, it's something serious definitely.

Wish him a speedy recovery.

Poor lad, he was just being able to finish too. :)

Robbo, North Stand (27/04/2007 at 11:33)

Sorry to hear he's injured - he's a hardworking, honest team player who always gives his best. But... let's be honest, Park was ony ever bought for MARKETING reasons. If he was English, Irish, French or Brazilian, he would not be at Utd. He's Korea's most popular sportsman and was bought as a merchandising tool (just like Dong). Anyways, it's still a blow losing one of our precious few midfielders. Any chance of buying a replacement Mr Glazer? No, didn't think so... but thanks anyway for the 13 per cent hike in the cost of my ticket... and thanks for the mandatory invitation to League Cup games... and thanks for buying the club with all OUR money.

Alf For The Devils, Ipswich (27/04/2007 at 11:39)

why now when he has been out for the last couple of weeks doing nothing.I hope he ll come back stronger next season.

Gerry, Glastonbury (27/04/2007 at 11:57)

Park was becoming a real asset as a squad memnber and producing his best form at just the right time. That's sods law I suppose.
Let's hope he's back fit for pre-season.

pudge299, Manchester (27/04/2007 at 12:49)

I disagree with you Robbo North Stand Park was not only bought for MARKETING, he has proved a good premiership player that cost not a lot of money. I think hes a very valuable member of the squad that will sorly be missed when you think now that Giggs replacment is KR!!!. I do however agree about the season tickets being very over priced.

Red Norse, Norway (27/04/2007 at 12:52)

I seriously doubt that, Robbo. Park impressed for PSV before he joined us (harassed Milan in the CL), and if we buy (and play!) players just for marketing reasons, why on earth hasn't Dong played more? Anyway, I hope that we now concentrate on getting a winger to the club, the central midfield looks fine now that Fletcher has taken a step up. And since Giggs has become more of a playmaker than a winger, we're left with few options on the flanks. OH is over rated anyway, IMO Fletcher has the potential to be a much more complete midfielder than OH ever will be. Not to mention the pricetag on the BM player, silly money for a player who's not near being the best in his position.

A Mancunian, Manchester (27/04/2007 at 12:57)

I am slightly annoyed that the management misled us as to the severity of the injury. Why raise our hopes unnecessarily??

Sterling, Salford (27/04/2007 at 13:27)

Shame about Park - we'll miss his movement, energy and clever link play in certain situations - especially Europe. Hope he gets well soon. Red Norse - let's hold fire on the transfer talk until summer. If we win trophies, we're a far more attractive proposition to certain potential targets but we have yet to win anything!! I agree that we need better cover on the wings but I think we also need additional players for central midfield and attack. Rossi must be given a chance next year given his performances on loan but SAF may still want another striker due to the Saha situation. The question of who are the wingers and other midfield targets is anyone's guess...

Alias Smith, over the moon (27/04/2007 at 14:39)

Terrible news on Park, but we can cope just fine without him this season. Great news on Vidic and Rio - with those two back, we would be favourites to go through on Wednesday. Tomorrow's game at Everton is crucial - we must match Chelsea's result against Bolton. It won't be easy but we have a great record at Goodison.

TMUF, Manchester (27/04/2007 at 14:55)

Park has been a great addition to the squad and its a shame to not have him before the end of the season. He had scored 4 in 4 I think and was really beginning to establish himself. Quite clearly wasn't just bought for marketing reasons and anyone saying that obviously hasn't paid any attention to his performances. Hopefully Saha can maintain fitness till the end of the season as he will be a big boost with his pace. Its a shame the injuries he has picked up since joining as rarely got injured at Fulham but hopefully he can get rid of that like Giggs and Gerrard have done. I feel another striker may be needed however. Brilliant news about Vidic and Rio as they have both had magnificent seasons. If they could both be fit for Milan that would be a massive boost and I expect the same back line for Milan against Everton. It must be difficult to have so many changes to the back four so a big performance from all is needed tomorrow. We have a good record at Goodison and I just hope the victory against Milan and the draw against Middlesboro will give us that extra desire. SUPPORT THE TEAM AND LIVE THE DREAM

Demo, Glossop (27/04/2007 at 15:06)

what i find worrying is the situation with nev! he was supposed to be back for milan, then everton, then milan 2nd leg now it looks like nobody knows!

great news that saha, rio and vida may be back in the action especially the latter 2 against milan!

shame bout park as he was doing alright and even started seeing out from underneath his hair to find the goal

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (27/04/2007 at 15:31)

TMUF Saha had a good first season at Fulham but was constantly injured during his second season and barely featured. He was a forgotten man until the next season when a good first half of the season prompted us to buy him. In his time at United he has started 46 league games.

Sterling, Salford (27/04/2007 at 15:38)

Controversial thought possibly but would we not be better to try and keep the same back line together for the next couple of games so they can continue to build an understanding. I think bit by bit Heinze and Wes are getting better and bringing back either Rio or Vidic (can't believe they'll both be risked on Weds) will mean another partnership needs to develop which could be just as unsettling. I'm also nervous about bringing back either Vidic or Rio unless they are 100% ready and fit. They have been class through the season but as we saw with Rio against Boro, can be a liability if not up to the job due to fitness. As I say it's a controversial thought and I'm not exactly sure what I think but it crossed my mind and this is where we discuss all issues United so I thought i'd throw it open to the floor...! Fingers crossed about Everton tomorrow.

Southern Red (27/04/2007 at 15:43)

Sorry to hear about Park. He's never been top of my list but a good man to have in the squad and works his socks off Lets hope Giggs stays fit.

Strange how Saha may be fit tomorrow as his agents are flying in next week to discuss contract extension!!!

Michael Dover (27/04/2007 at 15:56)

Park is a talented player, but can't seem to stay healthy. United need more depth on the wings to overcome his injury problems.

Kash, New York (27/04/2007 at 17:41)

Sorry to see Park miss the season. He has played really well and add's another dimension to the wings.

Rio's performance at Boro was bad. I think everyone was over cocky and started going up and making Ronaldo type skills show-up. He left gaps at the back and this may have aggravated the injury. If he stayed at back, played it safe we may never be in this spot. Not smart Rio.

Anyway, we will need Vidic and Rio back. Inzaghi will start on Wednesday up-front and he is a real danger.

TMUF, Manchester (27/04/2007 at 18:45)

Sterling Rio and Brown are a more then experienced pairing while Vidic and Brown have played about the same as Heinze and Brown. Kash, Rio was only at fault for the goal because he was injured when clearing a ball a few minutes before. He signalled to Fergie but as it was so close to half-time was told to wait till then. Unfortunate all round and Viduka after pushing Brown was left open

de Meester, netherlands (27/04/2007 at 20:50)

Best wishes to Park J-S!
I thought his injury was so innocuos!(?!)
Let's take no chances with 'fit-again' players, as we have seem what's happened with Louis & Rio!
We are nearly there and if they come back next week then good!
It's really going to be a boring summer (methinks!)Come On You Reds, we are nearly at the summit!
berg

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (27/04/2007 at 20:59)

great news about rio, vidic and saha. Agree with sterling though, they may need a few run outs before they get their match fitness back, especially vidic and saha. It will be good to have them two on the bench, with rio drafted in alongside brown. heinze left and oshea right.

Sorry to hear about park. Shame for him to miss out on what could be an amazing end to this season.

Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (30/04/2007 at 11:06)

biggest load of rubbish i've ever heard. until he went off, rio was the best player on the park against boro. He had the yak in his pocket !!

Duncan, London (30/04/2007 at 17:37)

OK that last comment from me was a bit harsh.

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