'Moscow nightmare': The pain and regret behind Manchester United's 2008 Champions League triumph over Chelsea

It was going to be the pinnacle of Park Ji-sung’s career. Manchester United would be taking on Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow.

The South Korean was Sir Alex Ferguson's Mr Dependable, playing every minute of United’s quarter-final against Roma and semi-final against Barcelona. He played three different positions across those four crucial ties to help his side reach their first Champions League final in nine years.

In his own mind Park had earned the right to play in his first Champions League final. This would be his big chance on the biggest stage of all, in the first all-English European Cup final.

Despite his role as the dogged, man-marking, ball-winner in midfield, he had only picked up one yellow card in the knockout stages. Suspension would not be an issue, and he had avoided injury. He was the man in possession, having started United’s previous match - a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic which secured the Premier League title on May 11.

He was all set.

But then came the conversation no player wants to have.

Park would not be included in the squad.

Not only had Sir Alex Ferguson opted not to include him in the starting XI, he could not find any space for him on the substitutes’ bench either. Park was the only change from the team which played Wigan game 10 days earlier.

Owen Hargreaves, who had played right-back in both legs of the semi-final against Barcelona and had come off the bench against Wigan, was given the nod to play on the right of midfield of Ferguson’s 4-4-2 formation.

Hargreaves started alongside Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo in United’s midfield, with Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Nani and Darren Fletcher the midfielders given places on the bench.

Park was