One after another Asian

The sale of South Korean midfielder Park Ji Sung and purchase of Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa by Manchester United is definitely more of a commercial than footballing decision. The capture of Kagawa signals Man U's desire to continue profit from the lucrative Asian market.

When Park signed for them seven years ago, shirt sales in his native country increased significantly. The same can also be said of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez when he was bought from his boyhood club in 2010. Signing Kagawa was indeed a wise move as it kills two birds with one stone.

Kagawa recently won the German league and cup titles with his former club Borussia Dortmund and has become the new star in the national team after Keisuke Honda's heroics at the last World Cup. From wearing no. 8 to no. 10, his role as an attacker was further enhanced.

Since the quality of China's football is still a par below Japan or South Korea, it is natural that the Red Devils look at them for a player who can double up as a money-making machine. Although it is clear that Kagawa is signed to sell more shirts, there are still other reasons Man U can use to deny the fact.

Having failed to land Eden Hazard as the Belgian opted for Chelsea, Kagawa looks like the perfect second choice for manager Alex Ferguson. With Paul Scholes ageing day by day, it is important that fresh blood is brought in to rejuvenate the squad.

And at only 23 years of age, Kagawa has at least 8 or 10 years for him to shine at the highest level with an elite European club. Fellow English rivals like Liverpool or Arsenal should try to get Honda to wrestle some revenue from Man U in the East.

Park Ji Sung's decision to leave Manchester for London was a bizarre one and we are not talking about Arsenal or Tottenham when London is mentioned. Damn, it is Queens Park Rangers, the club owned by the haughty Tony Fernandes of AirAsia. Who knows, Malaysian players might be next in line to join them.

The South Korean still has a couple of years left to make fans remember him, after which he is most likely to return South Korea to join the K-League when his two-year contract with QPR expires. I don't believe Man U had forced him out but that he fears that that could happen in the near future.

After having limited opportunities on the field last season, Park might have sensed that his days in a Manchester United jersey are numbered hence, decided to "unglam" things a little by switching to a more modest club like QPR where he can continue to be used frequently.

One great Asian's departure led to another's entrance, it is true that good things and times won't last forever. I wish Park and Shinji all the best in their careers with their new employers.