Source: Team_Talk
Park offered new United deal
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung is considering a two-year contract offer from the Old Trafford outfit.[LNB] The 30-year-old retired from international duty after last season's Asian Cup in an effort to prolong his club career.[LNB]And the reward is a contract extension Ferguson expects the South Korean to sign.[LNB]"We have offered him a new contract and I am sure he will sign it," said Ferguson.[LNB]"His career at United has been nothing but excellent. He is a tremendous professional.[LNB]"I am sure he will accept the new offer and tie himself down at the club for the next two years."[LNB]Park's present contract is due to expire in 2012 but after releasing Owen Hargreaves, in addition to Paul Scholes' retirement, Ferguson views the former PSV Eindhoven player as an essential member of his squad, who is about to embark on his seventh season at United.[LNB]The Korean says quitting the international game should benefit his club form.[LNB]He said: "My fitness levels do get affected when I travel so much and play extra games.[LNB]"Now I have finished playing for my country, I hope to get more rest, not suffer any injuries and enjoy the season.''[LNB]Ferguson also confirmed he expects Darren Fletcher to be part of his squad again by the time United return to England on July 31.[LNB]The Scotland skipper managed just two appearances in the final two months of the season after being struck down by a virus that caused dramatic weight loss.[LNB]Fletcher was then omitted from Ferguson's squad for the present tour, amid claims he was instead remaining in England to do conditioning work.[LNB]However, there were also reports that Fletcher had not started training again amid fears that the virus that proved so debilitating had returned.[LNB]Happily though, Ferguson has revealed some good news about the combative midfielder.[LNB]"Sometimes viruses do take time," confirmed the Red Devils chief.[LNB]"Darren has been into Carrington over the last few days. He is doing a weight programme at the moment and hopefully by the time we get back, he will be joining us."[LNB]Meanwhile, Ferguson has confirmed new keeper David de Gea will start Saturday's friendly with Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.[LNB]The 20-year-old was a late arrival on tour after a successful European Under-21 Championship campaign in Spain.[LNB]He has trained for three days now and Ferguson wants to see how he performs in a match environment, believing the £18million signing from Atletico Madrid may draw comparisons to Chelsea's Petr Cech.[LNB]"David de Gea will start on Saturday,'' said Ferguson.[LNB]"He has had a few days' training now and has done fine.[LNB]"Being young and coming into the English game, the one area we are not sure about is that he may need time.[LNB]"On the other hand, he might do what Petr Cech did at Chelsea and take it by storm. Cech came into the Chelsea team and has never been out of it.[LNB]"David has similar qualities. He has terrific composure for a young man. He is quick. His use of the ball is excellent.[LNB]"There are good ingredients there. Hopefully that shows itself as we get into the season.''[LNB]United flew into Chicago fresh from their 7-0 thrashing of Seattle Sounders.[LNB]However, they are going to encounter very different conditions now as temperatures topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit on their arrival.[LNB]No reduction is forecast and with the game set for a 4pm kick-off local time this weekend, Ferguson admits he will have to adopt special measures.[LNB]"We have left a cool atmosphere in Seattle and arrived in a furnace,'' he joked.[LNB]"It is going to be a test. We prepare for things like this but we will probably reduce the length of our training sessions and make the appropriate changes.[LNB]"I don't think it is forecast to get any cooler, so maybe I will watch the match in the hotel.''
