Former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung has opened up on the chain of events that saw him brought to Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Park arrived from PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and would go on to spend seven years at the club before leaving for QPR in 2012. The South Korean would become a crucial member of the United squad, making over 200 appearances in all competitions.
Known for his modest persona, Park has revealed that he thought it was a prank when his agent told him that United were interested in him. Discussing the initial conversations with the Reds, the 41-year-old told NBC Sports: "My agent told me that Man United were interested in me, but I thought it was a joke, why? Then I just didn't take it seriously.
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"My manager said to me that Sir Alex Ferguson was waiting for your call. I said, 'What? Why?' And he said, 'He wants to talk to you' and then I realised he was really serious."
Having retired at QPR, Park became a club representative with the Reds until 2021 when he became an advisor at Jeonbuk Hyundai and later that year a youth coach at his former London club. Earlier this month, the ex-midfielder committed himself to the role of technical director at Jeonbuk Hyundai.
Park remembers his time at United fondly, including his relationship with Patrice Evra. "When I joined the players all just helped me to adapt to the culture of the club and the culture of England, how it looks like in the Premier League," he added.
"And even Sir Alex Ferguson off the pitch is a really great man and great person to follow, it made it a lot easier to adapt to the English culture. He [Evra] became one of my best friends, the kind of friend that had a different character.
"He was a more outgoing person, he had that sense of humour. I'm a quiet, very quiet person but we always had happy times when we got together.
"He came over to South Korea sometimes and then we met at other places. We always joked on the phone, it's really good to have a best friend in a different culture. One of the great things about joining United is that I made a best friend."
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