Ji-sung Park has lifted the lid on the events that led up to his transfer away from Manchester United in 2012.
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Park from PSV in 2005 and the versatile midfielder would go on to enjoy a trophy-laden seven years at Old Trafford, most notably winning the Premier League four times, the League Cup three times and the Champions League once.
Park's relentless energy and tenacious attitude in midfield made him a firm favourite among United supporters and, although he was in the autumn of his career when he signed for QPR nine years ago, the news of his exit was met with sadness.
Speaking to the UTD Podcast, the South Korean has now reflected on his transfer away from the club.
“In that last season, it was the only time that I missed five games in a row, without any injuries,” Park said.
“That signalled to me that [this was the end] because I'd always contributed. Without injuries, I'd missed maybe maximum three games in a row, but five is quite tough as a player. So then I think it's time to leave the club.
“The club actually wanted me to stay and I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson. It was very tough because I'd never been at one club for seven years, this was the first one and everything was there; friends, families, everything settled down.
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"But I had to decide because I was 31 and it was probably the last time to move and have a contract. It was towards the end of my playing career. It was very, very hard for me to leave. Sir Alex Ferguson understood how I felt.
"He wrote a letter to me, which I still have. It's quite meaningful. I'm really appreciative of it and I'm really proud of being a United player under Sir Alex Ferguson. We didn't talk a lot face-to-face, he just said 'good luck for the future, all the best'.
"We had a great relationship between us and I'm really pleased to have worked with him.”
