10 Underwhelming Man Utd Signings Who Became Cult Heros

6. Park Ji-Sung

It may be a cynical viewpoint, but considering the only other Asian footballer to represent Manchester United was the hopelessly inept Dong Fangzhou, hopes weren't exactly sky-rocketing through the roof when Manchester United dispersed with £4 million to lure South Korean winger Park Ji-Sung winger from PSV Eindhoven. Murmurs that he had only been signed to flog a few shirts in the Middle-East, the limited wideman was never expected to seriously threaten Ryan Giggs' position on the left flank for the Premier League title challengers. In the same summer, Chelsea were nonchalantly chucking a casual £21 million in the direction of Manchester City to acquire the services of hot prospect Shaun Wright-Phillips - this level of penny-pinching from Sir Alex Ferguson was not surely not how they were going to wrestle back the title. It's fair to say that the diminutive winger had a bit more of an impact than was first imagined. Seven years of loyal service, and over 200 appearances, Park possessed the unusual trait of being deployed in the big games against elite competition, and subsequently shunned when faced with a side of easier capability. The reason for this was the former PSV man's tireless energy, and willingness to doggedly patrol the length of the touchline, tasked with the job of neutralising the opposition's attacking threats. Scoring a derby winner against Liverpool, a crucial Champions League semi-final goal against Arsenal, and featuring in two Champions League finals, Park will certainly not be forgotten in a hurry by Manchester United supporters.