Park Ji-sung close to pledging future to United by signing two-year deal

Park Ji-sung is ready to accept Manchester United’s offer of a new two-year deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2014.

The 30-year-old Korean midfielder is entering the final 12 months of his contract, but he said: ‘I have never been thinking about leaving the club. My mind was always on staying.

‘The first talks have taken place. We’ve had some early conversations and hopefully before the season we will get everything sorted out. 

Staying put: Midfielder Ji-Sung Park is set to sign a new two-year deal with Manchester United

‘Everyone would love to play for a club like Manchester United and it’s not often that players want to leave.’

The arrival of new £16million signing Ashley Young from Aston Villa this summer has only increased competition for places in the wide positions, with the England winger deployed in Park’s position out on the left so far on tour.

But Park added: ‘As a United player you know everyone has to fight for places, particularly in the wing positions because of the manager’s rotation. But when you get that opportunity you have to show you deserve to play more. 

No room to breathe: Ashley Young's (centre) summer arrival has increased competition for places at United

‘We have signed new players and they have to get together quickly with the rest of the team, and I’m pretty sure we will be able to do better than last season.’

United fly to Washington on Thursday and are expected to visit the White House during their stay in the US capital.

Meanwhile, the agent of Dimitar Berbatov, Emil Dantchev, insists the 30-year-old Bulgarian will stay with the Premier League champions.

Going nowhere: Dimitar Berbatov (left) is also set to stay despite being left out of the Champions League final

Dantchev said: ‘Berbatov away? There is only one truth: Berbatov is a Manchester United player... and he will not leave before the end of his contract. I repeat: Berbatov will stay at Manchester.’

The striker made 42 appearances for Manchester United last season and scored 22 goals.