Paul Scholes had admitted that one former Manchester United teammate during his time under Sir Alex Ferguson would cause all kinds of problems on the pitch.
The 50-year-old Manchester United legend spent his entire remarkable playing career at Old Trafford across two separate spells under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Paul Scholes is considered one of the best midfielders of all time and the iconic former United star is one of the best players in the history of the Premier League.
The ex-England international came through the United youth academy in the 1990s and broke into the United first team under former United manager Ferguson.
Scholes, who is one of United’s famed ‘Class of ’92’ breakout stars, became a linchpin influence in the United midfield and has had a seminal impact at the club.
The United legend lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups during his remarkable period at Old Trafford.
Scholes initially retired as a United player in 2011 before he walked back on his retirement and made his sensational return for the Red Devils in 2012.
The former Red Devils and England midfielder called it time on his career for the final time in 2013 after United lifted their last Premier League trophy.
Paul Scholes dropped the ultimate compliment on Man Utd cult hero Ji-sung Park and his role under Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Ji-sung Park to Old Trafford after Manchester United signed the South Korean former midfielder from PSV Eindhoven in 2005.
Ji-sung Park impressed during his spell at the Red Devils and the 44-year-old lifted four Premier League titles, a Champions League and three League Cups with United.
Ferguson praised Park as an underrated Man Utd player that he managed and the former South Korea international could be a handful to deal with on the pitch.
Speaking in a column for the London Evening Standard, Scholes recalled the problems that Park famously caused for Andrea Pirlo in the Champions League.
“Sir Alex Ferguson did not pay many opposition players the compliment of assigning them a man-marker, but he was prepared to make an exception for Andrea Pirlo,” he said in 2015.
“After we lost over two legs to Milan in 2007, the manager gave Ji-Sung Park the job of marking Pirlo in the second round of the Champions League in 2010.
“I could have told Pirlo that he was in for a tough time because occasionally Park man-marked me in training. I hated it. Park was like a rubber man.
“Everywhere you went, he went, too. He could run all day. I used to think of him as the manager’s loyal soldier.
“Sir Alex would give him precise instructions and he would follow them to the letter. I’m told Pirlo never forgot being marked by Park.”
What Sir Alex Ferguson saw in former Man Utd midfielder Ji-Sung Park after transfer from PSV Eindhoven
Ji-Sung Park left a lasting impression on United fans and Ferguson correctly identified the key attributes that would let him thrive at Old Trafford as a player.
“I think Ji-sung will give us fantastic energy and speed on either side,” Ferguson said in 2005, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“The games he impressed me most with PSV were when he played on the left-hand side and came infield, so I will start with him there to begin with and see how he develops.
“But Guus Hiddink said to me that he is improving every day, so it’s a great option for me.
“He is quick, has fantastic energy and is good in the air. So the options are varied. He’s a very mobile player and very quick.
“He has fantastic energy and to get players with that quality with the speed of the game is a real asset.”
Park made 204 appearances for the Red Devils and he scored 28 times and registered 28 assists before he signed for Queens Park Rangers in 2012.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
