Ji-Sung Park will bask in the heat and memories of Manchester United’s Champions League glory days when he walks out at the Nou Camp on Friday night.

Park is back at the Cathedral of Football with United’s Legends for the first time since their 2008 semi-final win over Barcelona on their way to lifting the trophy for a third time.

Park played in that goalless draw, as well as the 2009 and 2011 Final defeats to Barca, when United were last a force in the Champions League.

After a barren run in the competition, when United twice failed to qualify in the last four seasons, the South Korean believes they are back.

He is adamant Jose Mourinho can build on his Europa League success and make United feared again in the Champions League.

Park in action at Old Trafford (
Image:
Getty)
Park in action against Barcelona in 2009 (
Image:
AFP)

Park told Mirror Sport: “Jose Mourinho showed last season in his first season what he can do. The league table was not what we want, but he qualified for the Champions League, and he also brought us the Europa League trophy.

“He can bring the team to the same level as before under Sir Alex Ferguson. He has great experience and he showed his qualities in his first season.

“I’m really looking forward to next season to see what he’s going to do.

“Next season will be his second season. He knows all the players better and hopefully he can continue to improve because there was a period after Sir Alex Ferguson retired when the club struggled.”

United have not reached a final since their chastening defeat to Barca six years ago at Wembley and Park feels they can target at least a semi-final place next season.

“They won the Europa League last season, which will give them confidence in the Champions League,” he said. “Some of those players already have experience of playing in the Champions League too.

Park enjoyed huge success under Fergie (
Image:
PA)

“With the quality of players they have, they can aim for the semi-final or final. They can target that, they can aim high.”

Park, 36, feels United have the manager and players to go far and says few coaches can match Mourinho when it comes to winning big European prizes.

The Europa League was Mourinho’s fourth major European honour, while he has also won domestic titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

“One of the big things about Jose is that he has great experience in the big leagues, in Spain, in England, in Italy and in Portugal,” he said.

“That is a big advantage for the club and Jose knows how to deal with the other clubs, like Real Madrid, like Barcelona.

“He knows how they play and how best to stop them.”

Park will return to the Nou Camp on Friday evening (
Image:
Getty Images)

Mourinho has added Victor Lindelof to his squad and also wants Alvaro Morata, Nemanja Matic and Ivan Perisic.

Park claims such quality signings will only improve United, while he is also expecting a big season from Paul Pogba after a subdued first campaign back at Old Trafford for the world-record £89.3million signing.

“Paul showed his quality at Juventus, but he did not play consistently at the level we expected last season,” he said.

“But he’s still a young player and he had a lot of pressure on him because of his record transfer fee.

“He needs time to deal with that pressure and next season he will be better. I know his qualities and he is one of the best midfielders in the world.”

  • As well as tonight’s game, Ji Sung Park is playing in the Legends Are Back match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford on Saturday 2nd September. Tickets are on sale now at manutd.com/legendsareback and all proceeds go to Manchester United Foundation.