Ferdinand sad to see Park leave

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

Ferdinand heard about the South Korean's departure to QPR and had a lot of good words to say about the midfielder.

Together, the duo have helped the club win four league titles, a Club World Cup, three League Cups and a Champions League title but Park was often used as a substitute while Ferdinand was often the first-team regular. 

Regardless of their status in the United first team, however, the defender cherished playing alongside Park who he labelled a "players' player". 

"Ji's a fantastic player and a real players' player," Ferdinand told ManUtd.com. 

"He's been greatly appreciated by the other lads and the fans of our club over the years. He's been a great servant and never been any trouble. 

"He's just a real selfless player who has always played for his team-mates and he was part of a very successful period for the club.

"I'm sad to see him go because he's a really good lad as well - after three or four years he really came out of his shell and was one of the lads, making a lot of jokes. 

"As I said I'm sad to see him go as he's a really nice guy."

The South Korea international was renowned for his running ability and diligence in both stifling attacks as well as scoring goals. He made 205 appearances and netted 27 goals for the Red Devils and despite a host of star midfielders being linked with the club, he was always praised by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as being an essential component of the squad. 

Ferdinand also confessed that he is not eager to face his former team-mate in the Premier League in the coming season and fondly recalls the South Korean's industry when his side played AC Milan in the Champions League. 

"We'll have to try and get in his hotel room the night before we play them and make sure he doesn't sleep so he's not running around against us at a hundred miles an hour for the whole game!" joked Ferdinand.

"He's always been great for us and one his greatest nights was probably against AC Milan when he did an unbelievable manmarking job on Pirlo. 

"Everyone was talking about how well he played in the dressing room afterwards and how he nullified the threat of Pirlo.

"Ji is just a great player who is really appreciated by everyone in the squad."

With QPR manager Mark Hughes currently without a captain after having stripped Joey Barton of the position following his antics against Manchester City in the final game of the season, Park has been tipped as the likely skipper for the Rangers for the new season.