He's only 23 though, so he has plenty of time to make that position his own and adapt fully to the league. I remember SAF saying that 'Kagawa has come to us at the right time', when we first signed him. I don't think that he expected Kagawa to slot into that position with us, right away.
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's only 23 though, so he has plenty of time to make that position his own and adapt fully to the league. I remember SAF saying that 'Kagawa has come to us at the right time', when we first signed him. I don't think that he expected Kagawa to slot into that position with us, right away.
Racist.
Aye, there's no way you can get a ball spinning that much off your shin. Surely people have played football?
I once scored a goal exactly like it. A punt from the keeper came down from about 50 yards up in the air and I volleyed it first time from about 15 yards out and it just squeaked inside the post. I caught it halfway up my leg and it spun more than the Giggs one. Total fluke but nobody else ever noticed. So, have you ever played football?
I was there that day, you hit it with the top of your boot.
I'm trying to be patient, I am. Never saw him with Dortmund, so for me it's like "Holy crap he really is that good. We should play him more!"
Predictable.
Rapist
His first two league games for us (against Everton and Fulham) were more impressive in terms of technical ability and movement than he was today, I felt. It's nice to see he's now bringing the final product into his performances, though.
His second was especially sweet, loved the finish. Delighted to see him coming good. Bring on Madrid.
He made 76 passes against Norwich with a success rate of 92.6% according to MOTD.
His 2nd goal was so fecking cool. A la Berba.
I watched the entire match today and still couldn't work out his position.
Where did he play? Was he left midfield? Was he behind the striker? Was he in goal... Was Kagawa in goal today?
Where did he play? Was he left midfield? Was he behind the striker? Was he in goal... Was Kagawa in goal today?
Course you can, it can come off your shin any old way
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If a ball hits your shin the amount of spin can be really bizarre. It could get a lot or none.
The first two goals really showed how much confidence he has in himself. They were sublime finishes.
Before that he was pretty terrible in his play, the Norwich defenders were out-muscling him at will and the little exchanges with Rooney weren't working out right. Glad to see him bounce back with a hat-trick.
Before that he was pretty terrible in his play, the Norwich defenders were out-muscling him at will and the little exchanges with Rooney weren't working out right. Glad to see him bounce back with a hat-trick.
He had the Ronaldo role, or Rooneys last year, just license to do as he pleases
And may it now stay that way. He was all over the place today, pretty much always available. He actually reminded me of a younger Scholes at times.
I definitely wouldn't say that.
Me neither, it's just not the case.
He was average before the goal maybe not terrible but things really weren't sticking for him. Not on the same page as the others and his touch was off. He turned that around though.
His hat trick reminds me of the similar goals he scored for Dortmund, surely there will be plenty more coming
The cup final against Bayern last season
- Similar to his 3rd goal at 1:03
- and just look at his finishing at 2:14
And seems like Dortmund really miss him this season. Against Bayern, they seemed to miss his goal threat behind Lewandowski.
- and just look at his finishing at 2:14
And seems like Dortmund really miss him this season. Against Bayern, they seemed to miss his goal threat behind Lewandowski.
Reus is quite a threat tbf
Why does Shinji never celebrate his goals for us as passionately as he did for Dortmund? Sell him.
The third goal was very Scholes-like, the way he took the ball forward with his first touch and lifted it over Bunn with his second.
Scholes for the first touch and Nani for the finish
That's what I thought as soon as it went it in. Very similar to Nani's goal in last years Community Shield and against Chelsea in this seasons League Cup.
I think his first touch was more Kagawa and the finish was Kagawa-like.
For obvious reasons... He went from being a J-League nobody to being a contender for Bundesliga POTY in his first season, as a 21 year old, despite being injured half the time. I think even the "coolest" guy would feel ecstatic after this
It's also worth noting that Kagawa himself is not satisfied with his United career so far. Celebrating like mad shows a certain degree of confidence that he probably doesn't feel that he deserves to show us just yet. It's typical Japanese humbleness, really. I noticed this trend when I was playing university football there. The weaker players never showed even a short moment of happiness, even when they had a great game. It was especially hilarious when one of the younger students was called off the bench. He had to show gratitude, while still not showing how happy he really was. It's one of the most awkward moments I've seen in my life. I can't even describe it
For obvious reasons... He went from being a J-League nobody to being a contender for Bundesliga POTY in his first season, as a 21 year old, despite being injured half the time. I think even the "coolest" guy would feel ecstatic after this
It's also worth noting that Kagawa himself is not satisfied with his United career so far. Celebrating like mad shows a certain degree of confidence that he probably doesn't feel that he deserves to show us just yet. It's typical Japanese humbleness, really. I noticed this trend when I was playing university football there. The weaker players never showed even a short moment of happiness, even when they had a great game. It was especially hilarious when one of the younger students was called off the bench. He had to show gratitude, while still not showing how happy he really was. It's one of the most awkward moments I've seen in my life. I can't even describe it
Please try
Please try
He was like: "Huh, me?! Wow!" and then took a quick glance at his other team mates on the bench(who probably were pissed off for not being chosen). He then stood up quickly with the most confused grin on his face, just before it struck him that it might look like he was gloating. So he quickly returned to his "serious face", and started to warm up. While running up and down the sideline, I could occasionally hear him talking to himself with a low voice, saying things like: "Wow, I was chosen to play.. This is going to be awesome", just loud enough for his coach/captain to hear it. I guess it was important to still show how much he appreciated this opportunity
I think Kagawa wants to score a really special goal before he really celebrates
He benefitted so much from the Dortmund system and how they play. They are similar to Barca most of the time in terms of their passing and running of the ball. They were absolutely brilliant the couple of seasons. I haven't seen them as much this season but I am sure it wouldn't have changed much.
My point is I think he will benefit more if start passing the ball around instead of playing the long ball and trying to clear it all the time. Half the time at Dortmund, he was deadly with his pace and control during breakaways and we dont seem to get as many chances because we dont play possession football enough. Cleverley and Kagawa have always been doing there part and the likes of Rooney, RVP and Carrick also do but I really hope the rest of the team follows.
My point is I think he will benefit more if start passing the ball around instead of playing the long ball and trying to clear it all the time. Half the time at Dortmund, he was deadly with his pace and control during breakaways and we dont seem to get as many chances because we dont play possession football enough. Cleverley and Kagawa have always been doing there part and the likes of Rooney, RVP and Carrick also do but I really hope the rest of the team follows.
Or maybe just a goal against Madrid.
He was like: "Huh, me?! Wow!" and then took a quick glance at his other team mates on the bench(who probably were pissed off for not being chosen). He then stood up quickly with the most confused grin on his face, just before it struck him that it might look like he was gloating. So he quickly returned to his "serious face", and started to warm up. While running up and down the sideline, I could occasionally hear him talking to himself with a low voice, saying things like: "Wow, I was chosen to play.. This is going to be awesome", just loud enough for his coach/captain to hear it. I guess it was important to still show how much he appreciated this opportunity
That's a great little story
Japan is really fascinating.Yep, at Dortmund when around the box they love playing 1-2 passes, which you can see kagawa is trying. Instead usually when we get the ball on the edge we pass it wide to the winger, instead of playing it back for an on running midfielder.
Both scenarios can work just fine but we need to mix it up.
His 3rd goal was a perfect example of his time at Dortmund.
From what I've seen thus far of Kagawa, he seems to really benefit with Rooney in the team. They seem to be on the same wavelength, which can be said for a lot of our attacking players and Rooney. He helps bring out the best in others and I think on that basis Kagawa deserves to start against Madrid at OT. That second goal was
He should kick on from here I think. He is fit again and the team is beginning to use him more. It also helps that Carrick and Clev will look centrally for a pass as much as out wide, so he can be used in positions to really hurt the opposition. If we, as a team, had one bad point before, it was that our first look for a pass was out wide. RVP, Roo and now Kags to me are the players most likely to either open up, or hurt a team through the middle and if we can get these guys on the same page, supported by an on form Nani/Val out wide, we will be a very, VERY scary team.
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