The South Korean star was the hero on Sunday as his diving header sent the Red Devils top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Liverpool. The Old Trafford success puts United in the box seat to land an unprecedented fourth straight league trophy and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been keen to praise the 29-year-old, who also netted in the win at title rivals Arsenal in January. "He is one of our most effective players and he has been for a long time," said Ferguson of Park, whose winner against the Reds reiterated his ability to rise to the big occasions. "He doesn't make a fuss about it but I wouldn't like to be without him these days." Ferguson would have never had the chance to utilise Park's skills had Hiddink got his way over the Asian icon's future when he was in Holland. The South Korea skipper's rise to prominence came from his time under the Dutchman at PSV but the former Kyoto Purple Sanga performer risked the wrath of his former boss - who took his own advice by taking the helm at Stamford Bridge last season. "When I made my mind up for Manchester I felt that I had betrayed Hiddink," admitted Park, who followed his heart, rather than Hiddink's counsel, to sign for United in 2005 for £4million. "I knew that Hiddink wanted me to stay (and then go to Chelsea later), so I found it difficult."
