This morning, Manchester United has officially ended the contract of a key player who might have played a crucial role in their pursuit of the Europa League title.

Ji-sung Park is often regarded as one of the most underrated players in Premier League history, yet during his tenure at Manchester United, he was anything but overlooked by the club.

Park, who joined in 2005, spent seven productive years at Old Trafford, making significant contributions across multiple seasons.

Notably, he made over 40 appearances in both the 2005–06 and 2008–09 campaigns, consistently demonstrating his reliability. The only time he played fewer than 20 matches in a season was his final year at the club.

Park enjoyed considerable success at United, collecting four Premier League titles, three League Cups, the 2008 UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The FA Cup was the only major domestic trophy that eluded him before his departure to Queens Park Rangers in 2012. In total, he played over 200 games for United, underscoring his importance as a squad member.

In a 2021 appearance on the UTD Podcast, Park explained why he decided to leave the club. He recalled that during the 2011–12 season, he was left out of the squad for five straight games despite being fully fit, a first in his United career. This signaled to him that his time at the club was nearing its end.

Park discussed his choice with Sir Alex Ferguson, who wanted him to stay, but Park felt it was the right moment to move on.

The decision was especially tough, considering he had always been an integral part of the team. Some of his teammates had even begun to sense his possible departure.

Leaving was challenging for Park, as he had spent seven years at United, forming deep connections and building a life there. At 31, he knew this would likely be his last major career move, which made the decision even harder.

After his exit, Sir Alex Ferguson wrote Park a letter, which he still treasures. The letter, which mentioned Ferguson’s grandson’s disappointment at Park’s departure, was a heartfelt gesture that strengthened his sense of belonging at the club.

Reflecting on his time at United, Park expressed gratitude for working under Ferguson and being part of such a successful team.

Though the decision to leave was difficult, it marked the end of an outstanding chapter in his career, one that United fans continue to cherish.