Following Man United’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace, Jose Mourinho questions the heart and desire of his players.
Manchester United are continuing to search for the next Park Ji-sung or Shinji Kagawa, according to their East Asian scout.
Kei Tamura covers Japan and South Korea for the English giants and, after recommending a teenage Kagawa to Cerezo Osaka in 2006, the Japan-based talent spotter would love nothing more than to take a new generation of superstars from the region to Old Trafford.
“I am looking hard for the second Park Ji-sung and the successor to Kagawa,” Tamura told Sports Seoul during a visit to watch Pohang Steelers take on Jeonbuk Motors in the K-League.
“I keep track of players who can be as good.”
The scout added that he is part of a global network of talent-finders, tasked with hunting down players with specific characteristics that United boss Jose Mourinho is searching for.
Park Ji-sung spent seven successful seasons at Man United, winning a wide collection of silverware including four Premier League titles and one Champions League.
“We are looking for players that meet the specific criteria of head coach Jose Mourinho,” he said. “The scout team leader meets with Mourinho and is presented with detailed instructions.”
Tamura admitted that finding the next Asian superstar would not only help Manchester United challenge at the top of the Premier League, but there would also be off the pitch benefits.
“There is no doubt that signings Korean and Japanese players can have a positive effect in the Asian market,” Tamura added.
“That is not why they are selected however, the first thing we consider is skill.”
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