Park Ji-sung says he can emulate former Manchester United player David Beckham on the soccer field rather than in marketability.

The Daily Mirror on Wednesday said Park continues to brush off criticism that United bought him primarily as a merchandising tool for East Asia rather than as a player.

Even Guus Hiddink, Park's mentor at PSV Eindhoven and the South Korean national team in 2002, says his former prodigy is not ready for the English Premier League and will spend most of the season on the bench.

Hiddink said Park should have stayed with PSV for another year, citing the example of Brazilian midfielder Kleberson, who flopped with United after starring for PSV.

Unmoved by the cynicism, Park said he can develop into a better player at United and that he is determined to prove that Koreans can play at a high level.

Hiddink, however, called Park South Korea's best soccer player by far and the best Asian player he has seen in Europe.