Dong is eager to prove his worth for United

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The presence of Dong and his Korean counterpart, Ji-sung Park, on United's tour of the Far East underlines how important the two are to the club's efforts to consolidate their position of commercial strength here.

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Park was paraded on the field before United's game in Seoul last Friday — even though he has a serious knee injury — and Dong was asked to play for 20 minutes in Macau on Monday night, just days after finishing his participation with China in the Asia Cup.

Before his injury, Park was proving a useful asset for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the field.

Dong, however, has not yet done so and it is clear the season ahead is an important one if he is to make any kind of impression on the Premiership at all.

Back at United after three moderate seasons at feeder club Antwerp in Belgium, Dong said: "I am trying to prove I am good enough to play for Manchester United.

"I need to train hard and work hard, but that is no problem for me.

"Like every Chinese player, it is tough when you move to a new country because of the language and the fact it is a different culture.

"But, while those three years at Antwerp were hard, in a way they may help me because I am used to playing in Europe now."

Dong has looked some way short of the required standard during his time contracted to United, and his cameo in Macau two days ago was not particularly impressive.

Only time will tell if Ferguson's faith in the 22-year-old forward will pay off, and the manager said this week: "Dong has been doing exceptionally well and scoring a lot of goals at Antwerp.

"He's got some terrific attributes.

"He is lightning quick, has a marvellous physique and is a very athletic boy."

United travel further into China tomorrow to face the peculiarly named Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals on Friday, a game that will mark the end of their tour.