Ji Sung would run all over the Park to win for Man United

Breath easy. Park has earned the nickname 'Three Lungs' for his athleticism

While Ryan Giggs is the main focus of the football and gossip pages at the moment – another Manchester United midfielder will be quietly getting on with training in the hope of playing some part in Saturday’s Champions League final.

And Korean international Park Ji Sung should play against Barcelona at Wembley because he has the burst of energy and the ability to nick a goal and change a game.

Park has played 15 league games and eight Champions League games this season, with eight goals and six assists in all competitions, including the first of the four in their title winning parade against relegated Blackpool. These stats make this the best season for any Asian player in England.

One suspects that if the man on the front of all the papers had not also been at the front of United’s on-field success, then Park, injury permitting, would have played and contributed a lot more.

No doubt that Park has the ability to change a game. He has a history of grabbing goals in important matches including one against Chelsea in the quarter final of this year’s Champions League campaign, just 30 seconds after Didier Drogba had given the Blues hope.

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt made his case for Park’s inclusion in Saturday’s team:

"His athleticism is amazing. He can break up play and gives the simple passes. But he also has the energy to get forward and scores the odd important goal.

"He is one of those players that are so difficult to play against because he is non-stop. Clearly they have outstanding players of their own, but Barcelona will not like playing against Park."

History suggests that Sir Alex Ferguson feels the same way. Park played in the 2009 Champions League final defeat to Barca in Rome. This was as much for his desire as for his ability. Park does not seek the limelight, despite being the equivalent of David Beckham in South East Asia.

He simply trains and gets on with his career in the hope of playing and making an imprint of the game. He has earned the nickname “three lungs” for the reputation of running his socks off for 90 minutes.

If Barca are flowing on Saturday night and Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are frustrating United by playing the ball around, you can bet that Park will be chasing every single one.