(AFP) – Jan 22, 2008

RIYADH (AFP) — Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that the "door is open" for footballers from the Middle East to secure a dream move to the Premiership champions - if they follow the lead of star players from Japan and South Korea.

Despite qualifying for every World Cup since USA 1994, Saudi Arabia has struggled to generate a flow of top players for Europe's leading clubs, unlike the Far East footballing superpowers.

South Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park has proved a huge success at Old Trafford, while Japanese pair Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto both had successful spells in England with a number of different clubs.

Sami Al Jaber, the number one Saudi player, enjoyed a brief and unproductive season with English club Wolves in 2001 before returning to Riyadh-based Al Hilal and United manager Ferguson, whose team faced Al Hilal in Al Jaber's testimonial on Monday, insists that the Saudis have the talent to flourish abroad, but they still need to close the gap on the Far East counterparts.

He said: "Twenty years ago, you would never have expected to see Japanese or Korean footballers playing for big clubs in Europe.

"But they are now performing for top teams in Germany, Italy and England and that's because of the change of attitude over the years in those countries.

"What the likes of Japan and South Korea have done very well is develop their young players and that is the key. Once you get those foundations in place, with good and professional coaches teaching youngsters, it is amazing how quickly things can happen.

"Things are moving in Saudi Arabia. The standard of football is very good, but it is all about youth level and developing those young players.

"Once you get one top player from a country playing in a big league overseas, it does so much for the profile and reputation of that country.

"But if we, Manchester United, can help that potential develop by playing in these countries, then we are delighted with that."

Ferguson, whose multi-national squad consists of footballers from South Korea, China, Argentina, Portugal and numerous other countries across the globe, dismissed fears that the physique of the Arab footballer is not suitable for success in foreign leagues.

He said: "I have always felt that the physique of the Slavic players and Italian footballers is much more developed than British players. The physique of African footballers is fantastic as well.

"But I don't see that as a problem. The main challenge for the Arab footballer now is the one that faced the Koreans and the Japanese a few years ago. It is such a global game now. It is in your hands and the football people in Saudi Arabia must take the challenge on.

"I have 20 different nationalities in my squad at Manchester United and the door is open to any footballer in the world, no matter where they come from, if they have the talent to play for the club."

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