Park Praises Reds Mentality

Ji-sung Park feels Manchester United deserve great credit for the club's current league position, given the way injuries have caused almost-constant disruption to the Reds' campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes a number of Park's team-mates will swap the treatment room for Stamford Bridge on Sunday with Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Nani and Tom Cleverley all set for a return to the squad.

Others including Anderson, Phil Jones and Anders Lindegaard still remain on the sidelines, but no matter how bad the injury situation becomes, Park believes the Reds have the mentality and ability to still challenge Manchester City at the top.

"It is part of our history. Last season we had a lot of injuries as well but we kept doing well and we won the title. That shows our squad is very strong, to be able to deal with this kind of problem," Park told ManUtd.com.

"Everyone has a good mentality. Even though we have so many players injured, we can deal with that. Then when they get back, they can help fight to win the league. It helps the team to become stronger."

For the first time in many years, Sunday's opponents Chelsea are not United's closest rivals in the race for the championship crown; indeed, the Reds are currently 12 points ahead of the West London club. Nevertheless, Park refuses to regard Andre Villas-Boas' side as anything other than title contenders.

"When I look at the table, I think it is something different, but when I play against Chelsea, I don't consider them as being out of the title race.

"They are our rivals to win the title," insists the Korean, who, if selected, will play his 200th game for the Reds.

"I know the points gap between ourselves and Chelsea is quite a lot. But they won't give up until the end of the season. They will always try to fight."

Ji was talking to ManUtd.com and PA Sport.