He looks twice the player playing behind the striker (surprise surprise) problem for him is both Rooney and RvP are undropable.
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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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Still needs to get involved more but he's been very good when he's been on the ball.
Nice half, and still can do better.
Link up with Giggs has been a refreshing watch I must say
Link up with Giggs has been a refreshing watch I must say
Shock horror, he plays in his actual position and excels. This is brand new information.
Mostly been Giggs for me.
Surprise, Kagawa as number 10 and we instantly have a team cohesion and style of play. Who would have known? He is the grease to the machine so far, making everything run smoothly.
I really liked his performance, much better, more confidence and some serious hardwork.
Indeed, but still should do better on the left as well
We look like a football team for once. We can actually construct moves.
Either Leverkusen's defenders are slow as feck or he's quicker than I realised.
Its odd seeing a midfielder linking with a forward while playing for United these days.
The Shinji-haters won't darken this thread's door tonight, but wait until he's played wide left in a midfield consisting of Fellaini and Cleverley away to Spurs and they'll be back on the scene again. Probably.
His work rate has been impressive. Would be interesting to see how much ground he's covered.
We already knew he would probably play well in this position, but he isn't better than Rooney so he's not gonna play there if RvP is fit.
We'd benefit more from him learning to be more effective from the left, I think.
We'd benefit more from him learning to be more effective from the left, I think.
He's been good in his natural position. Leverkusen can't pick him up between the lines and have resorted to their hatchet men to do a job on him.
Still feel he could impose himself even more on the game, take even more responsibility but that might come as he gains confidence.
Not sure he's done enough to convince Moyes to give it a go in the league.
Still feel he could impose himself even more on the game, take even more responsibility but that might come as he gains confidence.
Not sure he's done enough to convince Moyes to give it a go in the league.
He's best when he dictates an attack from deep and drives us forward. The only thing that's going to keep him in his preferred position is if he starts scoring more regularly, he's got it in him.
Tbh i just prefer watching us with him playing centrally
Tbh i just prefer watching us with him playing centrally
Made the first goal. Clinical performance.
I think the less physical nature of European football suits him more than Premiership. Obviously playing in his favoured position also helps...
The pace needed on the wings and pace needed as a number 10 to get past players is different.. a full back is prepared for you to run at him, so you have to be pretty quick to leave him for dead whereas through the centre, defenders sometimes assume you're going to make a pass more often than not thus you can leave people leaden-footed when running at them. not to mention you can run either side of them, whereas on the left he always looks to cut in.
He is very predictable on the left wing and lacks pace to get round the outside, but through the centre he looks rapid, direct and unpredictable. Not saying he's the dog's bollocks at number 10 but he is only going to make it at this club long term in that position.
It's interesting that he's featured in most of the European matches. Clearly Moyes recognises that he thrives better when afforded more space and isn't tackled as much.
Kagawa's lack of an ego, a trait to be admired from a player who arrived as the Bundesliga Player of the Year, is, ironically, his biggest problem. There's no shifting Rooney or RVP regardless of form because the media will be all over it, and in Rooney's case, there'll be tantrums and toys flying out the pram. Kagawa will always be the safe option for Moyes to sacrifice as though it's best "for the team".
Is it a case of Kagawa >>> Rooney though rather than Kagawa >>> RVP
Have we seen the latter kinda partner up yet?
Have we seen the latter kinda partner up yet?
For about 45 minutes in the Bernabeu last year is the last I can remember. They started pretty brightly but then the game became scrappy and tense.
Crazy.
Some people are so desperate for him to do well they over exaggerate everything he does.
Promising first half. Fairly anonymous second half so far.
Promising first half. Fairly anonymous second half so far.
Some people are taking hipsterdom to a new level by downplaying everything he does.
Will be interesting to see how history judges the RVP acquisition. We could have had this lineup for most of last season, which I still think is more balanced, faster, and better suited to the way United counter-attack than with both RVP and Rooney on the pitch.
Undoubtedly he contributed hugely to us winning the league, but part of me believes will still look better without two out and out strikers.
Undoubtedly he contributed hugely to us winning the league, but part of me believes will still look better without two out and out strikers.
I hope he gets a chance on Sunday too rather than rushing RVP back. He's done enough to warrant it.
That pass 
That pass...
Was that pass to Rooney also just overrated by people who want him to do well?
No, it was brilliant. Did he "make" the first goal?
No, I'd say it was an amazing pass and far better than the other ones he made tonight that people did say were amazing.
Just a hunch though.
Ooo la la, what a delicious pass.
Hard to really judge too much against such poor opposition, but will be good for his confidence and should start at the weekend.
Nope. But he did have a decent hand in it, and in a lot of our good passing tonight.
Exactly.
Fair enough! I do think we've looked better with him in there than with Rooney as a no 10 though. The problem with that sometimes is being able to point out specific moments in the match and maybe that pass provides us with one.
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