Park: I Must Improve

Despite helping navigate United to a historic 1-0 win over Valencia in the Champions League, only the club’s second on Spanish soil in 19 attempts, Ji-sung Park is not happy.

The South Korea captain was brutally honest when reflecting upon his own performance at the Mestalla Stadium, yet is adamant he can turn his frown upside down with plenty of hard graft on the training pitch.

“I am not satisfied with my performances this season.” Park told MUTV: “I have to improve. I have to show more on the pitch. Particularly in the first-half my performance was bad. The second-half was better.

“I don't know why my performances have not been good. Maybe I was not ready for the season. I am still looking forward to the future. I have to show I can do better.”

He added: “Mentally I have been weak. But I missed a couple of games and then played again. It is always difficult to balance the performance. But since I joined Manchester United it has been like that. I know how to deal with that. I have to improve.”

Victory in Valencia places United top of Champions League Group C and is a much-needed confidence boost for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who despite maintaining an unbeaten record have stumbled somewhat away from Old Trafford, where lapses in concentration have seen three points dramatically turn to one.

Park, however, remains bullish and is certain the Reds can overcome any obstacle placed in the way of their quest for more silverware and glory.

“Throughout Manchester United's history we always come up with answers to problems. Big stars come and go but still Manchester United keep producing the same performances. We just concentrate on that to make sure we show our quality on the pitch.”

Park declared: “The past has gone. We look forward to the future. Maybe the Valencia win is another step towards improvement.

“We needed three points. We knew Valencia had been doing well this season but we were sharp defensively and we prepared well. At the end of the game we managed to score. It was enough to win and get three points.”