Shinji Kagawa

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all shinji's touches from the game earlier. excuse the god awful music... it really is awful

But he looks pretty sharp doesnt he? I'm looking forward to seeing him play this year, him scholes and carrick in a midfield 3 has a nice ring to it


Fixed.
 
http://www.espnstar.com/football/pr...ail/item830507/Kagawa:-Bring-on-the-pressure/

Kagawa: Bring on the pressure
Manchester United’s new signing Shinji Kagawa believes that the pressure at one of the biggest clubs in the world will help him answer critics and doubters.

Kagawa took three years to complete his magical journey from playing in the Japanese Division Two with Cerezo Osaka to being double Bundesliga champions with Borussia Dortmund and now to being in one of the world's biggest club - Manchester United.

The Japanese star's move is one of the biggest stories in Asia and it's more than apparent in Shanghai, where he is travelling with Manchester United on their pre-season tour.

To illustrate the fact, United captain Rio Ferdinand was accompanied by a minder after the press conference to stroll back to the team while Kagawa was surrounded by five burly security guards in a quick scrum to escape the press pack.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN Star Sports, Kagawa shared about the life and pressure of being at the top. The Japan international revealed that he was surprised to be targeted by the club in the first place.

"First, I was surprised," he said, "Manchester United are obviously one of the biggest clubs and every football player will be happy to play here. Of course, I was also happy [to join the club]. I was surprised and happy."

With Darren Fletcher still out and Paul Scholes nearing retirement, the pressure is on Kagawa to take up the mantle to drive the midfield forward.
However, the 23-year-old is unconcerned about the expectations and instead hopes to answer doubters with results.

"I think every player in this team is expected to achieve results so I think it's good for me to have pressure and I want to answer the pressure with results.
"So, the pre-season is very important for me to get adapted to the team and to show my team mates my style."

If the comments from his manager were anything to go by, Kagawa has indeed taken to the club like fish to water.
Ferguson exhorted about the Japanese midfielder's ability to adapt despite being unable to speak English as yet and points out that it is a trait of a top player.

"On the training ground he never needs an explanation. After one demonstration he picks it up right away. The language isn't a problem," he said at a press conference, "A good footballer can pick up what's needed. He's been fantastic in that respect. I've been quite surprised at that."
Similarly, club captain Rio Ferdinand has been impressed with the attacking midfielder.

He added: "I've been very, very impressed. I'd seen him play for Dortmund on TV and I looked on YouTube. He's been fantastic.
"He's quick, he's sharp, he has great awareness, he plays off both feet. I'm excited about playing with him and getting the season started.
"He's been one of the better players in Germany for the last few years. I think he'll bring that form to Manchester United. I think he'll be a great acquisition."

Kagawa also revealed that Park Ji-Sung's successful stint at the club was a great confidence boost for Asian footballers to make it at the top level of football and hopes that he can match the Korean's success at Old Trafford.
"I've seen Park succeeding here and I think he's the number one player in Asia. To see him succeed at such a big club of course makes us proud.
"It gave me encouraged and confidence. I hope I can achieve what he has at the club."

As to adapting to life off the field at the club, Kagawa disclosed which of his team mates he is closest to.
"Anderson."
With the ever-smiling Brazilian at his side, it'll be hard for Kagawa to find his new team less than welcoming.
 
And to think half of you lot want Anderson out of here? :D

That guy needs to be kept in the squad if not just to keep everyone else happy.
 
And to think half of you lot want Anderson out of here? :D

That guy seems keeping in the squad if not just to keep everyone else happy.

That bit made me smile. Ando does seem to be popular within the squad.
 
From the looks of it, Kagawa could turn out to the the 'missing piece' in the same way that Carrick was in 2006.

If we play him in the hole, it'll enable the midfield duo behind him to concentrate on what they should do, which is to screen and keep the play ticking over. Too often, our central midfielders have been judged badly because they haven't been able to handle the creative burden.

What's more, it's going to make us less predictable: i.e. not channelling all of our attacks down the wing.

I like the look of this boy.
 
I saw the Ajax match live and I paid particular attention to Kagawa's play. What was most encouraging was his movement in always making himself available for the pass. Scholes will certainly love this. He looked calm under pressure and always seemed to know where his next pass will go and where he will next receive the ball. The thing that impressed me most was that he kept things simple. If, and this depends on SAF, he plays in a midfield 3 (say in Europe) then I can see him clicking really well with Carrick and Scholes as he will be a vital outlet who will know what to to do with the ball. At least, this is the feeling I got from watching him live.
 
From the looks of it, Kagawa could turn out to the the 'missing piece' in the same way that Carrick was in 2006.

If we play him in the hole, it'll enable the midfield duo behind him to concentrate on what they should do, which is to screen and keep the play ticking over. Too often, our central midfielders have been judged badly because they haven't been able to handle the creative burden.

What's more, it's going to make us less predictable: i.e. not channelling all of our attacks down the wing.

I like the look of this boy.

I think that's overly optimistic. Kagawa will certainly pump up our attack, he's too good not too, but he won't solve our midfield problems which lie far deeper on the pitch than where he will play.
 
Whats strange is that someone with such technical ability was in the Japanese 2nd division. Remember, he cant possibly have improved his technique since the age of 16. So I guess he was dancing around the whole opposition team with ease each match
 
From the looks of it, Kagawa could turn out to the the 'missing piece' in the same way that Carrick was in 2006.

If we play him in the hole, it'll enable the midfield duo behind him to concentrate on what they should do, which is to screen and keep the play ticking over. Too often, our central midfielders have been judged badly because they haven't been able to handle the creative burden.

What's more, it's going to make us less predictable: i.e. not channelling all of our attacks down the wing.

I like the look of this boy.

Yes. I thought he was brilliant. Amazing that we got him for £15M. He could turn out to be a bargain in the Vidic class.
 
wait... what? Fergie admits to scouting players on Youtube???

So its not stupid after all! Muppets rejoice!
 
Whats strange is that someone with such technical ability was in the Japanese 2nd division. Remember, he cant possibly have improved his technique since the age of 16. So I guess he was dancing around the whole opposition team with ease each match

:lol: heheheh always liked that particular gem....

I see Guthrie was released from Newcastle as well! :smirk:
 
He's very composed, and looked like he'd been playing for us for ages.
 
He'd definitely a missing piece in terms of player who can open up opposition defences.

We don't have much trouble with that really. For me he could be the missing piece because we desperately needed someone who could play that position as a midfielder. We have often relied on Rooney for that but he's a striker so often end up with the midfield being over run. We needed a midfielder that could do it.

Carrick Ando/Clev
Valencia Kagawa Nani
Rooney​

Yes please!
 
:lol: heheheh always liked that particular gem....

I see Guthrie was released from Newcastle as well! :smirk:

To be fair to Scholesy I could see what he was saying re technique. He just doesn't put his case forward particularly well.
 
I always assumed his point was if you're 16ish and haven't grasped basic technique yet, you're not going to learn it on the job in the professional ranks. Not every player needs to be a little Iniesta though, so it was all pretty pointless.
 
To be fair to Scholesy I could see what he was saying re technique. He just doesn't put his case forward particularly well.

He didnt have much of a case to put forward. His stance was very black and white, but where the white bits should have been, there were black bits and vice versa.
 
:lol:
 
Shinji Kagawa
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Really like what I've seen from him today. Looks like a very intelligent player.
 
My favourite ever player.

:lol: Seriously though, he is making all the right decisions and just seems to glide on the pitch (kaka style). I can't wait to see him play in proper games. Shame we are not in Community Shield this year.
 
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