He certainly is mate. How can you say he is not when he does do it?
Shinji Kagawa
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
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He certainly is mate. How can you say he is not when he does do it?
I thought he had a very good game, considering it's a derby and he's still on the way back from an injury, while also trying to adapt to the PL. He gets hazzled a lot, but I saw some improvements in this game. He managed to keep the ball in situations where he usually would have lost it. He's definitely taking steps forward! He was also very unlucky not to score twice yesterday. I'm already looking forward to the next game!
While I think he's best behind the striker, I absolutely love the combination of him, Cleverley and Evra on our left flank. Three mobile, clever players with great ball control. Put Rooney in the mix, and I think we'd be one of the biggest threats in the world on the left side. Opponents would have to keep an extra eye on our left side, which again would be perfect for the likes of Rafael and Valencia, who could make bursts and counter-attacks down the right, with Carrick as the deep playmaker.
While I think he's best behind the striker, I absolutely love the combination of him, Cleverley and Evra on our left flank. Three mobile, clever players with great ball control. Put Rooney in the mix, and I think we'd be one of the biggest threats in the world on the left side. Opponents would have to keep an extra eye on our left side, which again would be perfect for the likes of Rafael and Valencia, who could make bursts and counter-attacks down the right, with Carrick as the deep playmaker.
Kagawa definitely was a dribbler at Dortmund. For whatever reason we havent really seen much of it from him at United so far
I think it's a combination of 3 things:
1. With more mobile teamplayers(Dortmund) around you, it's easier to dribble because the opponent has to keep track of more people. A sudden burst might therefore trick 2-3 players.
2. Confidence. He's new to the PL, and he even though he's had a pretty decent start, he says himself that he's not satisfied with the way he's played(which is understandable, considering how well he's played for Dortmund and Japan).
3. While the Bundesliga isn't that far behind the PL in terms of general football level, there is one thing the PL can boast: the toughest set of defenders in the world. The tempo is also a split second faster.
Combine these three reasons, and it's easy to see why it will take Kagawa at least a few more games before he can reach his former glory. He has a split second less to think, less mobile teamplayers, and face the toughest defenses out there. This has ultimately given his confidence a knock. It's tough to go from being one of the best players in the Bundesliga, Asian player of the year, and being named "World Class" in several news papers, only to become a "decent United player". It's quite a drop, if you ask me.
But the guy is a fighter, and he's only 23 years old. It's way too early for him to stop developing.
Average game from him against liverpool. Didn't set the world on fire, but largely played ok. Something for him to build from at least and increase his confidence.
I think that's harsh.
His first half was very good, the second not so much but that could be said for a few others around him.
Did pretty well today. Some quality touches and involvement in buildup play but also moments of struggling with the pace and physicality of the league. Still hasn't completely settled into our team nor the league for me.
I do think he looks a player better suited to playing a bit further forward and centrally. I'm seeing some comparisons to Silva but isn't Kagawa generally someone who has more end product than Silva? They're different sort of players from what I've seen. One is a playmaker while the other is more of attacker who gets you goals and assists.
I do think he looks a player better suited to playing a bit further forward and centrally. I'm seeing some comparisons to Silva but isn't Kagawa generally someone who has more end product than Silva? They're different sort of players from what I've seen. One is a playmaker while the other is more of attacker who gets you goals and assists.
You must be watching a different player then. He can dribble if required but it's more a special feature of his game on odd occasions, not a regular feature like a Silva. He doesn't run with the ball and carry it forward over long distances even semi regularly.
Hell, even his Youtube videos won't have him running with the ball much. He's rather pass it short and play 1/2's or put someone else through. That is his first instinct.
Nah 6 is pretty fair. And he was non existent in the 2nd half except 1 shot.
I mean Kagawa is a better player, still settling in and should improve but this and some other posts on here remind me so much of posts i read on RAWK defending Joe Allen after his first 2/3 matches.
People can have different opinions on how he played in the first half (even though strange), but in the 2nd i am not sure anyone can dispute he was non existent beyond 1 shot. Gassed badly and stopped tracking back too.
I thoguth he was good at keeping possession in difficult positions or when we were under pressure. And was also important to get the ball forward together with Clevs and Carrick.
Im sure he will prove to be a brillliant signing
Im sure he will prove to be a brillliant signing
He played OK, best he's been since he came back from injury. Im sure he will just get better with games you can see the class he's got we just need to get the best out of him.
It is indeed. I'm not great with the online picture thing otherwise I'd upload a pic of my shirt. Definitely my favourite one I've ever bought.
Kagawa used to be very good with free kicks just outside the box. I remembered him scoring some stunting goals for B.Dortmund.
Surprised that he has not taken one for United. United should let him take one that suits a right-footer especially when Rooney is not available.
Surprised that he has not taken one for United. United should let him take one that suits a right-footer especially when Rooney is not available.
I thought he was good yesterday, hope he starts the next few in a row.
Yeah might not be a bad shout. Rvp's delivery from dead balls is pin point but his direct free kicks are usually pretty shite. Yes he scored one against City (badly deflected) but it's probably the only aspect of his game that has declined.
I wasn't loving him out on the left. I don't mind it on occasion, but I hope playing in behind the striker is his main position, with a more explosive player cutting in from the left, Ie Young or Welbeck.
He got pushed off the ball legitimately once 
The reactions on here yesterday suggested he was being pushed about like a kid.
The reactions on here yesterday suggested he was being pushed about like a kid.
That was the touch I was talking about yesterday, right before we scored, majestic.
Let's not forget how long it took for Silva to hit his very best for City. Both similar players after all.
I thought he played well against Liverpool - kept the ball well, and moved around well. My only bad memory of the match regarding Kagawa was when he didn't track back at all/well enough for one of Liverpool's attacks.
Also, when he made Reina make a diving save - if I paused it just as the ball came to him, I would have put a great deal of money on him to score that. Not sure how many teams I've seen him bag a goal from those positions when the ball trickles to him. Still, I hope he starts against Spurs next week again.
I thought he played well against Liverpool - kept the ball well, and moved around well. My only bad memory of the match regarding Kagawa was when he didn't track back at all/well enough for one of Liverpool's attacks.
Also, when he made Reina make a diving save - if I paused it just as the ball came to him, I would have put a great deal of money on him to score that. Not sure how many teams I've seen him bag a goal from those positions when the ball trickles to him. Still, I hope he starts against Spurs next week again.
Agreed. He's not pacy or a dribbler (at least not a dribbler over extended distances), and he doesn't like to cross (to the extent that I don't even know if he's good at it, because he never does it). He's got none of the attributes required to play wide, and all of the attributes required to play behind the striker.
Couldn't the same be said of Silva, Nasri, Hleb, Pires et al? You don't have to be a winger to be effective out wide. They all were better off in the middle too but you have to be a pretty special player to be afforded the luxury to play as a #10 for a top team. We already have Rooney as that player so Kagawa may just have to bide his time but he looked more than good enough out there at the weekend.
All a bit frustrating. Little glimpses of his potential but still looks like we're not quite sure what to do with him. He needs a big game to go well, doesn't he, some sort of defining moment. Feel a bit sorry for the poor little fecker.
Promising signs on the left.
The layers you mentioned are still more inclined to dribble. Shinji appears to be a passer first and foremost. Going on a mazy run isn't the only way to dribble. Silva beats men all day long, spinning away, dropping shoulders etc. That said, I still enjoyed his performance from the left on Sunday, but I would like to see him combine a bit more individualism along with his team play sometimes just to add that dimension and unpredictability.
what I don't get and don't bite my head off, but why go for kagawa if his best position is a 10 and Rooney plays in the hole for us, not doubting his obvious quality, more our need for his position
Because Kagawa is equally as good as a wide play maker. And having him allows Rooney to drift wide.
When you say he is equally good as a wide player (And I am not being pedantic as I am asking as chances are I know a lot less than you on this) but is it from his time at Utd? Only, I didn't think he played outwide in the Bundesliga. I don't think like above you need speed etc to necessarily play wide, I don't doubt his attributes and abilities, just haven't seen any evidence to suggest what you said
Because he was bought to play behind Rooney, and then some Dutch bloke became available, at a knock-down price.
Is the answer.
That and for days when rooney or van persie is missing, its another quality option.
What is the problem with having star players in the squad fighting for positions? Rooneys had it too easy for the last 3 years.
He has regressed IMO, and needs a kick up the ass to get back to the world class talent he is.
What is the problem with having star players in the squad fighting for positions? Rooneys had it too easy for the last 3 years.
He has regressed IMO, and needs a kick up the ass to get back to the world class talent he is.
Who is 29 years old. Kagawa is still only 23, so you could argue that he's in the list of 'players for the future'. Even if he is well developed and quite established.
He needs a big goal, like RVPS against City with the free.
Something to announce himself.
And if that was the question I was answering, that is a close facsimile of what my response would be.
Give him a bit of time like Silva, obviously Silva is superior now but Kagawa isn't too much behind, though he still needs to adjust to our style of play, pace of the PL and all that the other members mentioned, but still early signs are positive and hopefully he'll just grow better and better.
He's been very good, difficult for him when he sees so little of the ball but he plays passes that just open the other team up.
He's been good. Hopefully he's settling in.
You can tell how talented he is, and he does so much defensive work as well.
Will be a key player for us in not too long.
Will be a key player for us in not too long.
Pretty much started the play that lead to our first goal. Brilliant one-touch pass with the outside of his foot.
He was good against Liverpool, and has been good so far. He's slowly starting to hit form now, you can feel it. He only needs more games, and he will get it. It's so obvious that Fergie loves him. He's only started on the bench twice in the PL(when fit of course) so far.
He was good against Liverpool, and has been good so far. He's slowly starting to hit form now, you can feel it. He only needs more games, and he will get it. It's so obvious that Fergie loves him. He's only started on the bench twice in the PL(when fit of course) so far.
First half okay and when the going got tough he went missing.
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