Manchester United Midfielder Park Ji-Sung Will Retire From International Football After Asian Cup In January

Posted Saturday, December 18, 2010 by Goal.com

Manchester United and South Korea international Park Ji-Sung is set to retire from international football after next month's Asian Cup, according to the player's father.

The midfielder, signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, scored the only goal in United's 1-0 win over Arsenal on Monday to continue his impressive form this season.

Park captained his country to the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup but according to the player's father, he will turn his back on international football after this January's Asian Cup.

"Ji Sung said before the World Cup in South Africa that the Asian Cup would be his last national tournament," his father Park Sung-Jong told the Asian Football Confederation's website on Friday.

"Now, ahead of the Asian Cup, there is no reason for him to change his mind.

"Ji-Sung said, 'When I give way, players like Lee Chung-yong will appear. They don't have to think I should be there.' "

The 29-year-old could miss six Premier League games and an FA Cup match whilst he is in Qatar for the Asian Cup, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits the South Korean will be missed.

"It is shame he has to go, but there's nothing we can do about that," Ferguson told reporters after the victory against Arsenal.

"He is very important for us as he proved tonight [Monday] with his goal."