“It was very tough because I’d never been at one club for seven years, this was the first one and everything was there; friends, families”
Former Manchester United midfielder Ji-sung Park has spoken about the conversation he had with with former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson before he left the club.
Park arrived at Old Trafford in 2005 after Ferguson brought him to England from PSV Eindhoven and spent seven years at the club before leaving to join Queens Park Rangers in 2012.
The South Korean revealed that the club had wanted him to stay, but a lack of game time towards the end of his time at the Red Devils had led to him making his mind up.
Speaking on the UTD podcast, Park said: “In that last season, it was the only time that I missed five games in a row, without any injuries.
“That signalled to me that [this was the end] because I’d always contributed. Without injuries, I’d missed maybe maximum three games in a row, but five is quite tough as a player. So then I think it’s time to leave the club.
“The club actually wanted me to stay and I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson. It was very tough because I’d never been at one club for seven years, this was the first one and everything was there; friends, families, everything settled down.”
The fan favourite then revealed that after making his decision, his boss gave him a letter which he says he still has to this day.
“He wrote a letter to me, which I still have” recalls Park.
“It’s quite meaningful. I’m really appreciative of it and I’m really proud of being a United player under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“We didn’t talk a lot face-to-face, he just said ‘good luck for the future, all the best’.
“We had a great relationship between us and I’m really pleased to have worked with him.”
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