Work permit may put Park out to grass

Park Ji-Sung's United future could rest on a work permit application if Shinji Kagawa passes his Old Trafford medical tomorrow.

United have agreed a deal to sign the Japanese playmaker from the Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund this summer, subject to a medical, work permit and international clearance.
If Kagawa passes health checks this weekend, Reds officials will then go ahead with a work permit application which will probably only be granted after appeal because at present he fails to meet the stringent Home Office criteria that guarantees acceptance.
But United officials are already working on their case to persuade the powers that be that the 23-year-old star is as an 'exceptional talent' that should ensure he eventually gets the paperwork required to move to Old Trafford.
It could take up to a month for Kagawa's signing to be completed and United will then know whether they can begin to plan the shape of their Premier League squad for next season.
Park Ji-Sung and Anderson are potentially two players who could find themselves squeezed out of Sir Alex Ferguson's plans once Kagawa arrives as he will become another non 'home grown' player.