Park Ji-Sung

     Park Ji-Sung (born 25 February 1981) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays for the English club Manchester United and is the captain of the South Korean national team.

Early career

     Although he was born in the South Korean capital, Seoul, Park grew up in Suwon, a satellite city 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Seoul. While in high school, Park was rejected by a number of professional clubs, due to his small stature. He ended up playing for Myongji University after his high school coach strongly recommended him to the university coach. In 2000, after just a year at Myongji University, Kyoto Purple Sanga of Japan offered Park a contract and he took up the offer.

Kyoto Purple Sanga

     Park signed with the Japanese club who had just been relegated to J2. In 2001 the club won the Division 2 championships and were promoted to the first division. In 2002, Park led the team into the finals of the Emperor's Cup, and scored the equalizer with a header and assisted Teruaki Kurobe's winning goal in the final match. The team went on to win the match 2-1 to become the Emperor's Cup champions for the first time in Sanga's history. He left Sanga following the World Cup and Sanga's failure to avoid relegation to J2.

PSV Eindhoven

     After the World Cup, Guus Hiddink was appointed the manager of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. In 2003, Park and South Korean teammate Lee Young-Pyo moved to PSV Eindhoven, to play under their mentor and former national team coach. While Lee quickly became a fixture in PSV Eindhoven's starting lineup, Park struggled due to injuries.

However, by the end of 2003-04 season, Park had begun to adapt to the Netherlands, both on and off the field. In the 2004-05 season, the departure of Arjen Robben to Chelsea afforded Park more starting opportunities and he quickly proved his worth to the team. Along with Johann Vogel, DaMarcus Beasley and Dutchmen Mark van Bommel and Philip Cocu, Park formed the backbone of PSV Eindhoven's midfield play with his pace and passing. Having been a top contributor of goals and assists that season, the highlight of Park's PSV career came when he scored the first goal against Italian team AC Milan at the Champions League semi-finals. PSV went on to win the home leg 3-1, but their 2-0 loss during the away leg meant AC Milan advanced to the Champions League Final. Demonstrating the sheer scale of his hero status at the club, PSV fans even wrote a song for Park for his contributions during his time with the club. Titled "Song for Park", it was included in the PSV official album "PSV Kampioen", and repeats "Ji-Sung Park" in Dutch pronunciation the whole time.

Manchester United

     In the closing months of the 2004-05 season, Park chose to join Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. Ferguson was impressed with Park's lively style of play, terrific pace, and unparalleled fitness. Park signed for the Premier League side for £4 million, subject to a medical and work permit.

Park became the first Asian to ever captain Manchester United when Ryan Giggs passed the armband to Park as he was being substituted in a European home game against Lille OSC. His first goal for Manchester United came on 20 December 2005, during a 3–1 win over Birmingham City in the League Cup Quarter Final. His first goal in the Premier League appeared to have been against Fulham on 5 February 2006, in Manchester United's 4–2 victory at Old Trafford. However the Premier League's Dubious Goals Panel later ruled that this was an "own-goal" due to a deflection off the Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra. Park's first official league goal came against Arsenal on April 9, in Manchester United's 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.

In April 2007, Park was sent to America for surgery on a recurring knee injury, putting an end to his season. Although sidelined by injury for most of the season, he still played in enough matches to become the first Korean player to win the Premier League.

On 1 March 2008, Park scored his first Premiership goal of the 2007-08 season after returning from his long-term injury against Fulham. His lack of appearances had caused much controversy in Korea, but he proved his worth when he delivered an assist to Wayne Rooney in the Champions League quarter-final match against A.S. Roma. On 29 April 2008, Manchester United advanced to the Champions League Final after beating Barcelona. Park was voted Man of the Match. On 21 May, it came as a huge surprise to many that Park was excluded completely from the squad to face Chelsea in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final. Many believed that Park's performances against Roma and Barcelona had earned him a place in the starting line-up for the final. With that omission, Park failed to become the first footballer from Asia to play in a Champions League Final, as had widely been anticipated in South Korea. Later, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated that leaving the South Korean winger out from the 18-man squad for the Champions League final was one of the hardest decisions he had to make all throughout his managerial career.

Early in the 2008–09 Premier League season, in an away match versus Chelsea, Park scored the only goal for United in a 1–1 draw on 21 September 2008, in a game which he also won the Man of the Match award. On 13 December 2008, he made his 100th appearance for Manchester United, starting in the match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, the game ended 0-0. Park was included in the 23-man squad for the FIFA Club World Cup held at the end of 2009. He missed the semi-final but played the full 90 minutes in the final which they won 1-0 becoming the first English side to win the competition. On 7 March 2009, Park scored his first FA Cup goal in the 4-0 quarter-final win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, he latched onto a miss placed pass by Zoltan Gera eventually slotting it into the far corner for the fourth and final goal. On April 15th 2009, Manchester United advanced to Semi-finals of the Champions League by defeating F.C. Porto 3-2 on aggregate. This made Park the only Asian player to be part of UEFA Champions League semi-finals on four different occasions. On 2 May 2009, Park verbally agreed to a new four year £50,000 a week deal at Manchester United, he stated “I have no reason to move. I play at the best club in the world.” Following this announcement Park scored his second league goal of the season, and third overall, in a 2-0 away win against Middlesbrough.

International career

     Park began his international career as a 19 year old defensive midfielder. Park made his first appearance selection during 2000 Sydney Olympics U-23 regional quailfier. Park was on 2000 Sydney Olympic roster along with Lee Chun-Soo, and Lee Dong-Gook. Selected by then manager, Huh Jung-Moo, he was unable to improve or show potential as a future regular for Korean National Team. However, when Guus Hiddink became the head coach of South Korea, Park's position was shifted to that of a winger. Since then, Park has become a versatile player able to play in a variety of positions: central, right and left midfield, as well as wing-forward.

Park scored a memorable goal during the 2002 World Cup. During the group stages South Korea had won their first game against Poland and drew against USA. In order to advance, they had to manage a draw at the least against favoured Portugal side. The game was 0-0 until the 70th minute following two red cards against Portugal, when Park scored the match winner, controlling the ball with his chest and beating Sérgio Conceição before volleying it into the net with his left foot. His goal eliminated Portugal and advanced South Korea into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time.

Park's success in the World Cup continued into the 2006 tournament. He scored the equalising goal in the 2nd Group G Match against eventual finalists France in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was voted Man of the match. Between these two World Cup Finals, his shirt number shifted from 21 to 7, and he played in every match for South Korea.

On 11 October 2008 he captained South Korea for the first time in a friendly match against Uzbekistan. Korea went on to win 3-0.

Nemanja Vidić

     Nemanja Vidić (born October 21, 1981 in Titovo Užice) is a Serbian footballer, who currently plays for the English club Manchester United in the Premier League and for the Serbian national team.

Club career

Early years

     Nemanja Vidić was born to Dragoljub, a now-retired copper factory worker, and Zora, a bank clerk. Vidić took up football at 7 years of age, alongside his older brother Dušan, with local side Jedinstvo Užice. He progressed quickly, and moved to Sloboda Užice at the age of 12.

Red Star and Spartak Moscow

     Two and a half years later, before his 15th birthday, Red Star Belgrade signed Vidić to their youth system. He started his senior career on a season-long loan deal at Spartak Subotica in 2000. He moved back to Red Star Belgrade after the loan deal ended, playing regularly in the top-flight Yugoslav League. He won the 2001–02 Yugoslav Cup with Red Star. Vidić quickly gained the captain's armband, and during his three years as captain, he scored 12 goals in 67 matches, and ended his Red Star Belgrade career on a high note by leading the club to a domestic double. He won the 2004 Serbia and Montenegro League and Serbia and Montenegro Cup trophies with Red Star Belgrade, and in July 2004, he joined Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow. The details of the transfer were not revealed although it was reported that Vidić became the most expensive defender in the history of the Russian Premier League.

Manchester United

     After playing two seasons at Spartak Moscow, Vidić signed for Manchester United for a reported fee of around £7 million on January 5, 2006; two and a half years after Manchester United's reported interest in him. He was assigned the number 15 shirt and made his debut for Manchester United as a substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy in the dying minutes of Manchester United's 2–1 win in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Blackburn Rovers on January 25, 2006.

During the 2006–07 Premier league season, Vidić formed a partnership with Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence, which has since become one of the most prominent partnerships in English football, and has become an established first team player. In his first full season playing for Manchester United he made 25 appearances in the Premier league and ended the season winning his first league medal.

Vidić scored his first ever goal for Manchester United on 14 October 2006 against Wigan Athletic—United went on to win 3–1. He scored his second goal in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth on November 4, his first goal at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. He scored his first Champions League goal for Manchester United against Benfica on 6 December in the group stages; a match which Manchester United won 3–1.

On 8 November 2007, Vidić signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Manchester United until 2012. At the end of the 2007–08 season, he earned his second consecutive Premier League medal. He was also a part of the squad which won the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final versus Chelsea—his first European medal. During United's 2007–08 season, he made 32 league appearances and scored one goal.

During the 2008-09 season, Vidić has been a pivotal part of the United defence in the absence of a number of other defenders during various parts of the season. He has started every match in British Football League record run of 14 consecutive clean sheets in Premier League matches. Towards the end of the 2008–09 season, Vidić was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award, along with another four Manchester United players; he was considered the favourite to receive the accolade that was later awarded to his fellow team-mate Ryan Giggs.

Praised for his aggressive no-nonsense defensive style, he is now recognised as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and in Europe. Nicknamed Vida by his Manchester United teammates, he is highly regarded for his physical presence, heading ability in both defence and at attacking set pieces, as well as his bravery. Because of this, he enjoys a cult status among United faithful and is often compared to former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce for having similar characteristics.

International career

     A Yugoslavian youth international, he made his senior debut on October 12, 2002 against Italy in UEFA Euro 2004 qualification. Vidić was part of the Serbian and Montenegrin national team's "Famous Four" defence, alongside Mladen Krstajić, Ivica Dragutinović and Goran Gavrančić, that conceded just one goal during the ten 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, setting new record for the fewest goals conceded. Vidić played a major part in the last qualification game, against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serbia and Montenegro won 1–0 and secured qualification, despite Vidić picking up a red card five minutes before the end. Vidić missed out on Serbia and Montenegro's opening group stage match against the Netherlands through suspension from his red card in last qualifying game, and on 12 June 2006 he injured his left knee ligaments during training and he did not play any games at the 2006 World Cup. After the 2006 World Cup, Vidić went on to represent the national team, now independent as the Serbia national football team.

Individual honours

     Vidić won Serbia's Overseas Player of the Year award for 2005, playing for Spartak Moscow, a poll of the captains of the 16 clubs in the Serbian Superliga that is organized annually (the first award was given in 1996) by daily newspaper Večernje novosti. He was once again the recipient of the award for 2007 and 2008, this time playing for Manchester United. The executive committee of the Serbian Football Association named him Player of the year for 2005 and 2008. He was named in the 2006-07, 2007–08 and 2008–09 PFA Premiership Team of the Season. In addition, he was shortlisted for the 2006–07 and 2007–08 UEFA European Club Defender of the Year and was also shortlisted for the 2006–07 and 2007–08 FIFPro World XI player award and also for the 2008 Ballon d'Or award. Vidić was named Premier League Player of the Month for January 2009.

Personal

     On 17 July 2006, Vidić married Ana Ivanović, an economics student at the University of Belgrade (no relation to the Serbian tennis star of the same name). Together, they have a son named Luka.

Michael Carrick

     Michael Carrick (born 28 July 1981) is an English footballer who currently plays for Manchester United as a midfielder. He previously played for West Ham United and more recently Tottenham Hotspur. Distinctive features of his play identified at the time of his move to Manchester United included his inventive distribution of the ball and his passing and crossing abilities. He has so far played 17 times for the England national football team.

Club career

Early years

     Carrick was born to Vince and Lynn Carrick in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, and first became involved in football when he was five years old. He played five-a-side football with Wallsend Boys Club on Saturday nights, courtesy of his father's volunteer work at the club. Football became more serious for him at the age of 12 when he was selected for Wallsend Schools' and later on North Tyneside Schools'. Whilst playing for Wallsend Boys' Club under 16s, he was capped for the England Boys' club side. During the school years, and the years up until his move to West Ham United, Carrick actually played as a centre forward; it was only at West Ham where he started to play more often as a midfielder.

West Ham

     Having studied at Wallsend's Western Middle School and Burnside Community High School until completing his GCSE exams in 1997, he was scouted by many clubs before being taken to West Ham by Wallsend-based North East scouts Dave Mooney and Bill Gibbs, who had watched Carrick for a few years playing for Wallsend Boys' Club. Surprisingly, few clubs from the north-east, where Carrick was from, wanted to sign him, and the then Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp later revealed this was because he grew so much that he became clumsy with the ball and constantly had knee pains.

Carrick's professional career began at the famous youth academy of West Ham United in 1998. A notable contribution during the 1998-99 season came from him in the FA Youth Cup final, where he helped, alongside another rising star Joe Cole, West Ham to a 9-0 victory over Coventry City, scoring two goals himself.

Carrick made his senior debut as a substitute, replacing Rio Ferdinand in a 3-0 win at Bradford City in August 1999. He spent two periods on loan that season, a couple of months at Swindon Town and a month at Birmingham City, and made a few more appearances for West Ham. But in 2000-01, his exploits in his first full season for West Ham gained widespread recognition, resulting in his being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award (Steven Gerrard of Liverpool was the winner).

2002-03 was a season to forget for Carrick, as much of it for him was plagued by injury and West Ham were eventually relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season. Carrick decided to stay with the club, playing for them the subsequent season 2003-04 in the First Division. At the time, a number of clubs were credited with an interest in Carrick, such as Portsmouth, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. It appeared that Arsenal were winning the race to sign him, before Patrick Vieira decided to stay at the club, thus stopping any potential transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur

     Before the beginning of the 2004-05 season, keen to ply his trade in the highest league, Carrick then moved to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £2.75 million. The following two seasons at Tottenham were a major success for him as Spurs enjoyed an upturn in footballing fortunes with major investments in new players and a new management. Under the guidance of Spurs manager Martin Jol, Carrick rose to fame with Spurs during the seasons 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, gaining the sort of reputation that eventually led to speculation about a move to Manchester United on 31 July 2006.

Manchester United

     On 31 July 2006, Carrick moved to Manchester United. An initial bid of £10 million by United was rejected, though a later bid with a £14 million basic fee, potentially rising to £18.6 million depending on club and player success, was accepted. This potentially makes Carrick the fifth most expensive player acquired by Manchester United. He was given the number 16 shirt for Manchester United, previously worn by former captain Roy Keane.

He made his Premiership debut for United on 23 August 2006, coming on as a substitute in United's 3–0 away win over Charlton Athletic. He had sustained an injury in his original debut against Porto in the Amsterdam Tournament. He made his starting line-up debut against Watford on 26 August 2006 at Vicarage Road, in a match that United went on to win 2–1.

Carrick had started almost every game for United in the 2006–07 season. He was briefly injured in late December, at which point his "holding" role in central midfield was filled in by John O'Shea or Darren Fletcher. His first goal for Manchester United was on 13 January 2007 in a 3–1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

On 10 April 2007, Carrick scored two long-range right-foot curlers against Roma in United's 7–1 victory in the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford. He opened the scoring with his first, thus setting United on their way to the semi finals.

With the arrival of Owen Hargreaves at Old Trafford for the 2007–08 season, Carrick acknowledged that he was not guaranteed a place in United's first team. Carrick suffered an injury setback in October 2007, breaking his elbow against Roma in the UEFA Champions League. On 3 November 2007, he returned to action, coming on as a substitute for Anderson against Arsenal.

Carrick's first goal of the 2007–08 season came in injury time during a 2–1 loss versus derby rivals Manchester City on 10 February. His second goal came in happier circumstances with Carrick adding the final goal in the 4–1 win over West Ham on 3 May.

On 18 April 2008, Carrick agreed to sign a new five-year contract, along with defenders Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown, which would keep him at Old Trafford until 2013. The contract was finally signed on 17 May 2008.

On 21 May 2008, he played a full 120 minutes in a 6–5 victory over Chelsea on penalties to win the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final. He scored during the penalty shoot-out, and collected a winners medal, the first European winners medal of his career.

On 1 November 2008, Carrick scored his first goal of the 2008–09 season when he netted a powerful left-footed effort against Hull City at Old Trafford. Carrick then went on to score his second of the campaign against Stoke City, two weeks later, at Old Trafford .

International career

     Carrick made his first senior international start in May 2005 during England's tour of the United States, having made two substitute appearances in 2001. England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson considered Carrick to be a good option as a holding midfielder with others such as Scott Parker and Ledley King. On 8 May 2006, Eriksson named Carrick in England's squad for the 2006 World Cup. Carrick played in one World Cup game, the second round match against Ecuador, which England won 1-0. For the next game against Portugal, it was felt that a more cautious approach was needed, thus Owen Hargreaves, who was playing at right back in the Ecuador game, replaced him.

Despite his consistent form for Manchester United, Carrick continues to be overlooked by England managers. He started games rarely under Sven-Göran Eriksson and his successor Steve McClaren. His last appearance for England was a 2-1 defeat at home to Germany in August 2007, however he was named in Fabio Capello's squad for the game against the Czech Republic however he was forced to withdraw from the squad after sustaining an injury during Manchester United's game with Newcastle.

Carrick returned to the England side on 19 November 2008 in a 2-1 friendly win over Germany in Berlin. He started alongside Gareth Barry in central midfield with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Owen Hargreaves all injured and was named by many media sources, including the Guardian as Man of the Match.

Personal life

     Carrick has a brother, Graeme (born 3 April 1985), who was also at West Ham United but suffered several injuries. He is now an FA Skills Coach. He previously worked at Newcastle United's Academy, coaching the U10s and U16s.

Carrick married Lisa Roughead on 16 June 2007, the same day as England team mates Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville married their respective partners. In April 2008, Lisa gave birth to a baby girl, Louise.