Dong's got some skill.. but to watford??? very close to renegation.....but would be good for experince on the english game
Images of Dong signing his contract with United http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/FrameSet.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState%7c0%7c1%7c0%7c28%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c1%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c73016958%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0&p=2&tag=1
LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Manchester United's China striker Dong Fangzhuo has been given a British work permit and is clear to make his competitive debut for the Premier League leaders, the club said on Wednesday. Photography/GettyImages Dong: Spent two-and-a-half years in Belgium United signed the 21-year-old from Dalian Shide in January 2004 but sent him out on loan to Belgian club Royal Antwerp, where he scored 35 goals in 61 games. Handed shirt number 21, Dong is now eligible to turn out in league and cup games for United and has signed a new contract until 2010. He has only played previously for them in pre-season friendlies, scoring the winner against Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa last July. 'We're all excited he has eventually arrived and can start playing,' United manager Alex Ferguson said. 'He sacrificed two-and-a-half years at Royal Antwerp, which showed great patience and determination. 'He is quick and athletic and he can only improve by training with the first team squad here.' http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=400324&cc=5901 WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!
congrats to Dong Fangzhou, hope to see more of him. He did what he had to do at on loan to Antwerp and now its nice to see him with a ManU shirt. heard that the chinese press like SINA wrote an article being very supportive of Lee Dong-guk possible move to Boro, and been praising the Korean players in the EPL. Well i would like to just return the complement to all the Chines fans here. hopefully, Dong Fangzhou will start getting some play time for ManU soon in whatever shape or form and develope further. Competition is going to be fierce, and Dong Fangzhou is obviously not gonna break into the team anytime soon. But he is only 21, he gonna be trainning with the best, and perhaps get loaned to other EPL clubs, someone already mentioned a Watford rumour, playing for Watford will be a great opportunity, his contract with ManU is till 2010......plenty of time to develop into a great player. He seems physically strong, tough and quick with an eye for a goal, well suited to the EPL style of play. A great prospect and with the right management will become one of the stars to represent Asia in the Premiership. Good luck and best wishes.
Going to a different team he may get to play more consistently. In ManUtd he's the number 7 choice striker at this point. But as long as he gets to tag along the first team I don't mind seeing him sit on ManUtd's bench with mininum PT.
Thanks for returning the complement, aguy2die4! I myself always cheer for Korea whenever they play against european, south american teams....
Dong probably will get loaned out as Man Utd wont be likely to let him hav some PT half way through the season and the competition is so close..
After Arsenal kicks the crap out of United tomorrow, there will actually be a title race again, its not going to be a situation where you Fergie's going to be willing to plug an inexperienced kid in just anywhere. If they don't loan him out and barring major, multiple injuries, I don't expect Dong to see significant playing time (if any) until the title has been decided
Do you ppl think if Dong goes to Watford, where he can be a starter or play 20 minutes a game of the bench, that it will benefit fit him more than Royal Antwerp? I think so. I hope he does goes to a bottom of the table club like Watford or Charlton and gain some experience.
I think this is a friggin given...There is a huge difference between the Belgian 2nd Division and the EPL...He's on a team packed with talent and in the middle of a title race, he's the new guy on the block with no top level experience, he's the LAST guy Sir Alex is going to turn to. On the other hand, a loan to any EPL squad where he's going to get playing time, even if it means every other game or a half here and there is far more than he'll get with United this season.
Yeah, but he is way down the pecking order even on the right wing. After C. Ronaldo, there is Park Ji Sung, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and possibly even Darren Fletcher. Am I missing anyone?
I wouldn't consider Ole and Fletcher right wing competition. Ole is needed as a striker. Fletcher is slow and dull. There's also the left wing. Keep the faith.
i don't disagree, though both the events you talk about aren't going to happen this season...His time will come, but at the earliest, it will be next year...