The South Korean endured the acute disappointment of being left out of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad for the Champions League final last May, another blow in a United career that has been blighted by injury.

But Park has refused to give up and forced his way back into Ferguson's side at Chelsea last month, scoring the goal that looked like giving United victory at Stamford Bridge before Salomon Kalou levelled for the hosts.

But, after three frustrating years at Old Trafford since his £4million move from PSV Eindhoven, the 27-year-old is desperately hoping it is the start of a long-term career with United.

For, while many sceptical pundits believe Park is primarily of value to the Red Devils for the shirt sales he can generate in his homeland, the Seoul-born star has his own personal reasons to prove he is good enough to wear the famous red shirt.

"I am quite famous in my country," admitted Park.

"Asian players want to play in Europe and I play for Manchester United, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world. It means they want to be like me.

"I have to try and do well and prove myself on the pitch so that other Asian players believe they can play for big clubs in Europe too."

Park is among a trio of Koreans currently plying their trade in England's top flight.

Kim Do-Heon and Seol Ki-Hyeon are popular figures at West Brom and Fulham and regularly chat with Park, even if the sheer geographical spread of the compatriots means opportunities to meet up in person are rare.

"I want to meet the other Korean players for lunch or dinner but it is quite a long way to West Bromwich and London from Manchester," said Park.

"But we speak on the phone quite often, so that helps."

Now fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of the Beijing Olympics, Park has joined up with the South Korean squad for their two matches over the international break.

Korea face Uzbekistan in a friendly on Saturday before tackling the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup qualifier which must be won given the regional powerhouses only managed a tame draw with neighbours North Korea last month.

"That draw was not the best result, so we have to put it right," he said.

"But we are confident we will qualify.

"The Korean team is quite strong in Asia. We have to show that strength and hopefully we will be okay."