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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Looked very rusty, he will have other chances, but the way he was muscled off the ball was bad to see.
Did alright today, but looked rusty and was visibly out of stamina after the 60th minute.
Rusty is the right word, better for having played 60 or so minutes but I don't think he'll start against City.
Nani should be back, so perhaps not but I'd start him ahead of Young
People are being way too harsh on him as well. This was basically his first game for us this season since he's been struggling with his fitness and I though he did more than alright, considering the circumstances. Besides, we all know he's got work to do if he wants to become a similar player to Nasri and Silva - playing on the left and cutting inside more often than not. Yes, he's still too weak physically but I'm sure it'll improve under Moyes.
He made some mistakes but so did the other players.
He made some mistakes but so did the other players.
This is the sad truth, really. The reason he does so well for Japan on the left is because they play with much bigger risk and more offensive fullbacks than us. Their style is all about keeping the ball high up on the opponents half and look for those clever little through balls or overlapping runs. When they concede the ball, all hell breaks lose and everyone sprints back like crazy. This works sometimes, but it's never a style we're going to use in United anyways. It's way too panicky and unpredictable. The only reason Japan is forced to use this style, is because they lack top class goalscorers, so it's all up to what they can create. If they create enough chances, then surely even a crappy forward is going to score.
I still think that Kagawa is our best player on the left though, so unless the spot behind RVP is open, I definitely want him to play on the left. Left midfielder Kagawa is better than no Kagawa.
I'd love to see us try out an offensive 4-3-3 with 3 fowards though:
-- Carrick - Fellaini -
----- Kagawa ------
Nani - RVP - Rooney
I agree with this point but it sounds like something that Evil Kagawa twitter account would post
Looks like he's coming back from being abit under the weather. Maybe he did have flu?
Great to see him back but think I'd play Welbeck at weekend to pin back Zabaletta
I thought he had some good moments in the first half and linked well with Rooney and RvP, obviously he's going to be rusty but that's exactly why he should start against City, he needs game time, it's the only way he'll shake the rust off.
Very rusty, shouldn't be anywhere near the starting line up vs City, but his talent is there to see, its whether or not United and Moyes utilize it.
If Rooney keeps working hard off the ball like he did today, I think Kagawa can be effective on the left.
You insufferable bore.
Sunday isn't the game to play players to get them match fitness. We have a League Cup game for that next week.
He was alright but definitely faded, not sure I'd play him against City just yet
Surely its exactly why he shouldn't. You need a fully fit player against City, and he will be dominated by their midfield. I would stick Welbeck in if hes fit, and Kagawa in the COC.
Clearly lacking match sharpness but was still decent...some nice passes and almost scored.
Should feature on Sunday
Should feature on Sunday
He had some nice moments but could have been a bit more involved in a perfect world
Welbeck himself is carrying an injury, that leaves Ashley Young, personally I'd rather start Kagawa and go from there, it's not like he was dying out there tonight.
He was rusty, I think Moyes will like him as a player. I agree though, hopefully Welbeck is fit for Sunday.
So encouraged to see Shinji in action tonight. Kagawa's short passing and close control add so much to our attack. Besides Nani no other midfielder at United has the technical ability to take the ball under pressure, keep it and pick a pass (the right pass). That moment in the first half where he took the ball on the left touch line and dribbled it in a circle around his markers to make space to move the ball to a red shirt was typical of what he brings to the team: That extra touch of class that means we don't just see our wide left run into the fullback time and time again...
Plus his interchange with Rooney and Van Persie gave us so much variation. Rooney and him swapped positions, Robin ran the channels with Kagawa coming into the space in the centre on the overlap. It just worked so well. It just goes to prove the old cliche that great players always find a way to play with one another. You can argue that our side in 2007/08 was lopsided as Ronaldo always started in the wide areas with the rest of the team revolving around his movement but somehow it works because greatness understands greatness. I hope Moyes persists with Shinji when he's back up to full speed and doesn't choose the 'safe' option. The lad works HARD as well. Ran like Mo Farrah tonight...
Plus his interchange with Rooney and Van Persie gave us so much variation. Rooney and him swapped positions, Robin ran the channels with Kagawa coming into the space in the centre on the overlap. It just worked so well. It just goes to prove the old cliche that great players always find a way to play with one another. You can argue that our side in 2007/08 was lopsided as Ronaldo always started in the wide areas with the rest of the team revolving around his movement but somehow it works because greatness understands greatness. I hope Moyes persists with Shinji when he's back up to full speed and doesn't choose the 'safe' option. The lad works HARD as well. Ran like Mo Farrah tonight...
Even if Becks doesn't play I don't think he will throw Kagawa in. If you thought you were negative against us at home, I think you need to prepare for a game of chess on sunday!
I thought he looked alright in the first half but in the second half or as time went by he did look like a lad that was running out of steam which was probably a contributing factor to him getting caught out or knocked off the ball easily enough a few times. He desperately needs a good run of games to shake off whatever cobwebs are there and build up his confidence a bit. Moyes will have a tough decision to make about starting him against City that's for sure.
I am hoping he finds his dortmund form for us.... I feel this is the year that determines whether he will be a squad player or a permenant fixture in our starting lineup.
Funny stat:
It's been 353 days since the last time United lost when Kagawa played more than 2 minutes. That means that he's "won us" 26 games in a row now.
A new lucky charm?
It's been 353 days since the last time United lost when Kagawa played more than 2 minutes. That means that he's "won us" 26 games in a row now.
A new lucky charm?
Januzaj looks more useful right now.
Good to see him start tonight, positive from Moyes. I keep hearing he was shrugged off all the time but I don;t go along with that. He often shielded the ball or simply used his technical nous to wriggle into space. Other players were out-muscled at times during the 90 including even Fellaini, Leverkusen are a big side who compete well. I can't be arsed with this constant harping about being weak or physically inferior. Kagawa is a naturally small lad but not weak. He isn't going to just bulk-up, his physique won't allow it. Just enjoy him for what he is, a clever little player who comes alive in the final third and offers a goal threat and an eye for a pass.
Match sharpness will come, not at City where I expect Valencia and Welbeck to start, but done enough to earn a place on the bench, and hopefully a start against the scouse.
Match sharpness will come, not at City where I expect Valencia and Welbeck to start, but done enough to earn a place on the bench, and hopefully a start against the scouse.
Good first half, faded in the second. To be expected, really. He showed enough class in the first 45 minutes to justify giving him that left sided berth. His movement is top notch and his passing so incisive. We looked so much less predictable with him drifting in off the touchline.
Thirty minutes against a poor Palace side with ten men gives you that impression. I'm sure Kagawa would have completely relished that also, but Moyes had him earmarked for the more pressing business.
Perspective needed.
I'm going to suggest you re-watch the opening 45 minutes. There were plenty of good moments from Kagawa.
It was his first competitive game this seaon, what more do people expect? I wouldn't expect more even from better players.
We had decent opponent against us, he just recovered from flu, and still played more than a decent game, created few chances, rarely lost the ball, so I think it was good performance, certainly better than anything Young offered in last few games.
We had decent opponent against us, he just recovered from flu, and still played more than a decent game, created few chances, rarely lost the ball, so I think it was good performance, certainly better than anything Young offered in last few games.
Exactly.
He'll feature against te Scousers in the CC
Give him more game time and he'll come good. Some good passes and moves in the first half, just need to be fully fit and sharp
A good match for someone that has had virtually no pre-season or competitive game time.
Hopefully he can stay injury free and get match fit now.
Hopefully he can stay injury free and get match fit now.
I don't think he's ready to play City tbh.
Of course he is, but you know that Young will get the nod, along with Valencia.
City are no great shakes this season, and their league form has been distinctly underwhelming thus far.
Not on tonight's evidence, if fit Welbeck should start on the left with Rooney central and Valencia on the right.
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