Man Utd might have finally found a Park Ji-sung replacement in transfer market

There have been better players in Manchester United's history, but few have been as effective as Park Ji-sung.

The South Korean was the glue that held together many of Sir Alex Ferguson's best sides. The credit he deserved wasn't always forthcoming, but those who needed to know, his manager and teammates, recognised just how important a figure Park was at Old Trafford.

He's never been truly replaced. The Reds have had versatile players in the eight years since Park left the club, but none have provided the sort of energy of the South Korean. It's for this reason that United should consider Emi Buendia, the Argentine midfielder who has made quite the impression for Norwich City in the Premier League this season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a big job on his hands to overhaul his squad this summer. The signing of Bruno Fernandes, Daniel James, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have made a difference since arriving at Old Trafford, but more work is still be done if United are to reach the top of the English and European game once more.

Buendia might not be of the same high calibre as Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho, two priority targets, but he would perform a role that Solskjaer should consider important. In many ways, the Argentine is the natural heir to Park.

While the 23-year-old is an attacking player by trade, notching seven assists in the Premier League this season and averaging 2.6 key passes per performance, he also recognises his defensive responsibilities, making an impressive 2.3 tackles per game. This is something Park also recognised during his time as a United player.

The argument could be made that as a Norwich player fighting for his team's survival near the foot of the Premier League table Buendia has no choice but to track back and help out his defensive teammates. Indeed, the Canaries can afford no passengers in their efforts to avoid the drop.

But if Daniel Farke has been able to drill Buendia in this way then Solskjaer would surely stand a chance of doing the same. The Norwegian has, after all, proved his man-management skills in winning over the Old Trafford dressing room since his appointment as manager last season.

It's true that United must focus on strengthening their starting line-up. There are clear deficiencies on the right wing and in attack, but Solskjaer must also find the right sort of characters for his dressing room. Buendia appears to have the right personality to succeed at a club like United. That counts for a lot.

Park was rarely an automatic pick. However, Ferguson used the South Korean as a sort of 'special ops' player, asking him to man mark an opposition threat or exploit a specific area of the pitch. This subsequently resulted in Park earning himself a reputation as something of a big game figure. Buendia's adaptable skill set means he could be utilised in the same way.

Buendia similarly wouldn't necessarily command a first team place at Old Trafford. He might be a right-sided midfielder, but isn't the sort of fast and furious winger United need first and foremost. Nonetheless, Buendia would give the Reds something they have lacked since Park left the club eight years ago.