I think he's a good player and have been singing his praises a lot, but he's been in poor form since he joined up with the squad for preseason. Badly needs game time and fitness, but he is in bad form too.
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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I think he's a good player and have been singing his praises a lot, but he's been in poor form since he joined up with the squad for preseason. Badly needs game time and fitness, but he is in bad form too.
Very true. Some people can't face the truth, he's not fit enough to play a game of sunday's magnitude, I thought he was pretty poor tonight myself bar a couple of moments of brilliance, he lost the ball a lot. With Rooney's form, it will be very difficult for him to play in his favored position, it may be an issue for him.
This is the thing. A lot of people are wanting him to succeed, so are sugarcoating his performance. It wasn't a good performance, it was very unspectacular and a game I would expect from a person playing his first proper game for United this season. If it were one of the scapegoat players who put in a shift like this, they would be slagging them off for not performing. I hope the next few games he plays are stepped up, because Moyes has shown he is in his plans by playing him in the first CL game as a starter
Kind of disappointed in him today. He had a few good moments and good touches but like others have said, he didn't have that match sharpness. He was caught in possession plenty of times and lost the ball a lot of times. Have high expectations for him but he needs to be given more time in the team. It will be pretty much him, Nani and Valencia competing for the two winger positions, and if Valencia rediscovers his form from 2011/12 then he is an automatic starter because of his consistency (big if though).
You can see he is lacking match fitness. Sunday I would play Welbeck or Nani and give him a start against the Dippers in his natural position with Hernadnez. Bench on Sunday.
Rooney's last two performances show how important he is to the side played in his best role. He's someone I doubt Kagawa is ever going to be capable of dislodging. No shame in that, Rooney is one of the best players in the world.
Rooney's last two performances show how important he is to the side played in his best role. He's someone I doubt Kagawa is ever going to be capable of dislodging. No shame in that, Rooney is one of the best players in the world.
It was nice to have him back involved and the minutes will do well to get him back some way to full match fitness.
He seems to be bullied off the ball fairly easily though, which is slightly concerning - it was noticeable at times last season also. Needs to learn to use his body to shield the ball a bit more, or even just put an arm across to keep defenders off him. Not saying he needs to bulk up, but he has the technicality and can outdo most players with his skill, just needs to add a touch more physicality to his game so that he isn't flung off the ball quite so easily. That said it is still important to remember that it was his first start from us in what has been a intermittent preseason, so there was bound to be a little rustiness.
Some of his link-up play is a joy to watch, he can really unlock tight defenses at times which is a valuable asset. I would like to see him impose himself on games more though. Be more forthright and make things happen himself by taking the game to the opposition, instead of waiting for the game to come to him. I thought the only time I remember him doing that (for a small part of the game anyway) was West Ham away in the league last season. At times I get the impression that he doesn't affect games enough, which can be a little frustrating, because it's clear to see that he has the ability to do it. I'm not sure if it's a mentality thing, an inferiority complex perhaps? but I'd love him to be a bit more ballsy and make defenders really struggle to cope with him and his movement, because he has what it takes to do that.
Not going overboard from last night though, he needs more games to improve his match fitness - along with Nani - and I really hope we see an improvement because he would be in most peoples starting XI's but atm, just needs to show that little bit more for me.
He seems to be bullied off the ball fairly easily though, which is slightly concerning - it was noticeable at times last season also. Needs to learn to use his body to shield the ball a bit more, or even just put an arm across to keep defenders off him. Not saying he needs to bulk up, but he has the technicality and can outdo most players with his skill, just needs to add a touch more physicality to his game so that he isn't flung off the ball quite so easily. That said it is still important to remember that it was his first start from us in what has been a intermittent preseason, so there was bound to be a little rustiness.
Some of his link-up play is a joy to watch, he can really unlock tight defenses at times which is a valuable asset. I would like to see him impose himself on games more though. Be more forthright and make things happen himself by taking the game to the opposition, instead of waiting for the game to come to him. I thought the only time I remember him doing that (for a small part of the game anyway) was West Ham away in the league last season. At times I get the impression that he doesn't affect games enough, which can be a little frustrating, because it's clear to see that he has the ability to do it. I'm not sure if it's a mentality thing, an inferiority complex perhaps? but I'd love him to be a bit more ballsy and make defenders really struggle to cope with him and his movement, because he has what it takes to do that.
Not going overboard from last night though, he needs more games to improve his match fitness - along with Nani - and I really hope we see an improvement because he would be in most peoples starting XI's but atm, just needs to show that little bit more for me.
His pass to RvP stands out from last night which was as reverse as it gets!
I thought he was average-poor in the first half and dogshit in the second. As soon as Young came on we looked more dangerous, which tells its own story.
It's understandable given his pre-season etc and he did show a few quality touches/passes, but he is absolutely miles away from being fit enough to start a game such as City.
It's understandable given his pre-season etc and he did show a few quality touches/passes, but he is absolutely miles away from being fit enough to start a game such as City.
That pass
But he was fairly pedestrian and clearly not match fit. Good that we gave him a run out and hopefully he will get more minutes in our upcoming games.
Watching the replay. Can't believe how many times he was bundled over by the Germans !!!
Colin Murray adding another line to the shinji Kagawa song made me laugh today! To the tune of radio ga ga all we need is Shinji Kagawa, shinji Kagawa then the extra bit being David Moyes is new,Fergies watching you! Thought it was quality!
I heard the first few lines of that then switched off.
Thought he really had an impact in the first half, he's understandably a bit rusty but you could see right away what he brings to the team. Also think questions on whether he can influence from the left were answered. He definitely can, it's not ideal for him maybe, but he can still be very good there. Also think between them rvp, Rooney and kagawa showed they could all play off each other, swap role et which is exactly what you want.
Yes - I'd say there were signs, definitely. His overall performance wasn't great, obviously, but I feel there was enough there to call it promising. What worries me slightly is that he seems to go missing, as in losing his momentum whenever he goes some time without seeing the ball. He needs to sort that bit out - because in our set-up he isn't likely to have the ball as much as he might be used to.
I don't expect him to feature against City - and that's probably wise. He doesn't seem ready for that. But as we move along I'd like to see him start as often as possible in that left-sided role - get comfortable in it and start making a real impact. If things work out the way I hope he should emerge as our best alternative in that role.
For his first match back, I thought he was good and no real complaints. He created 2 very good chances and almost scored himself, which up until Valencia's great game last night, was a hell of alot better than what we've been used to from our wide players. He's clearly talented and will only get better.
I think it's quite natural for players like him to fade in and out of games, particularly in this role where he's not quite as free as he'd like. I think what's important there is that when he does get a chance he takes it and I think he did that with a nice pass to put RVP in, the cutback just didn't come off. Hopefully we can see more of that. If he works back well too then it's not such an issue.
City probably is too soon but it depends really, he's had some time now and in fairness it was quite an end to end game so probably a good run out for him and now he should get a weeks training to really get some more sharpness. I reckon he could give us a good hour, though I think it's more likely we'll use him for 20 mins or so if we need a goal.
No chance he'll start on Sunday. I'd guess it'll be Welbeck, and then the team that started on Tuesday, with the right back slot being the only other doubt.
Not sure if Welbeck will be fit for that, but I think Nani will get the nod. Barely had any football this season but I think he'll be fine if he does start. Sure as hell hope we don't start Young though.
He seems to like Young though. My guess is he will start Giggs on the left "for experience".
I think he'll play Young, but I'm hoping for Nani. Can't see Giggs starting as we'll want to exploit their weakness in behind their very attacking fullbacks.
Also hoping for Fabio on the right back, or failing that, Valencia, but can certainly see Moyes playing Smalling there.
Also hoping for Fabio on the right back, or failing that, Valencia, but can certainly see Moyes playing Smalling there.
Calling a spade a spade, he simply needs to step it up. The whole pro-Kagawa crusade from all United fans seems to be based upon almost everything but his actual performances for United.
I am a fan of his, and I'd like to see him start for us regularly, although the Kagawa I'd like to see playing for us regularly is a considerably better player than the one I have seen play for us thus far (if that makes any sense). He is clearly a favourite of everyone here, but he still has a lot to prove I think before we can start calling Moyes horrible for not playing him every game.
I still think our best team would have him in it, with Nani on the right, but he needs to prove that when played. I said a long time ago that I suspect many fans are obsessed with him largely because we are just so happy to have a player of his style, as opposed to everyone just really wanting us to sign Shinji, one of the top creative midfielders around. He is talented, but could go either way still I think.
I am a fan of his, and I'd like to see him start for us regularly, although the Kagawa I'd like to see playing for us regularly is a considerably better player than the one I have seen play for us thus far (if that makes any sense). He is clearly a favourite of everyone here, but he still has a lot to prove I think before we can start calling Moyes horrible for not playing him every game.
I still think our best team would have him in it, with Nani on the right, but he needs to prove that when played. I said a long time ago that I suspect many fans are obsessed with him largely because we are just so happy to have a player of his style, as opposed to everyone just really wanting us to sign Shinji, one of the top creative midfielders around. He is talented, but could go either way still I think.
I thought he looked really sharp and linked up well with the forward players.
Nani/welbeck and Valencia will start imo.
I couldn't believe some people said he was poor.
Apart from few poor touches, it was very good performance, he rarely gave the ball, kept the possession, and created few good chances too.
He wasn't poor, he just wasn't very good.
Yup, which I'm happy with given how supposedly unfit and unwell he's been.
For the first minute of that video, there wasn't a single forward pass or positive move. He was fairly neat overall, but didn't really do much to merit a high rating imo. That's probably as much down to his position as anything else, since I don't think he's physically suited to playing on the wing against sides who sit back. He's much better when he's running into pockets of space in advanced positions and then picking out passes against defenders who are backtracking.
I'm not one of those who says that shouldn't ever play out wide but against deep sitting teams, I think you can only either play him in the middle or drop him.
I'm not one of those who says that shouldn't ever play out wide but against deep sitting teams, I think you can only either play him in the middle or drop him.
When people are desperate to push a player they will exaggerate everything they do. It was a poor performance but no more than you'd expect with his fitness level and playing time. I dont see the point in making out it was anything other than that though, you just set yourself up for a fall.
Im sure he will play in the midweek COC match.
If you ask me, he's just the right player we need on the left side. Someone who is technically accomplished and able to come into midfield to play. You can see from the video, his positioning and movement allows Rooney to play nearer to the box where he is most deadly. Fellaini was having a field day playing those cutting passes to the space in-between the lines to him.
If Welbeck is indeed out of contention () then Kagawa should definitely keep his place. He was good if not brilliant against Leverkusen, but you can't expect him to ever get into top gear if all he gets is a start in every five or six games.
If we start Young or Giggs ahead of him I'll be pissed.
It was really annoying against Leverkusen that in a game where we generally looked more than willing to pour forward in numbers at every opportunity, when Kagawa crafted his best opening no-one except RVP bothered to get themselves up the pitch. One more man and that attack would have been a really promising one, but instead he was forced to attempt the impossible through-ball to RVP.
) then Kagawa should definitely keep his place. He was good if not brilliant against Leverkusen, but you can't expect him to ever get into top gear if all he gets is a start in every five or six games.If we start Young or Giggs ahead of him I'll be pissed.
It was really annoying against Leverkusen that in a game where we generally looked more than willing to pour forward in numbers at every opportunity, when Kagawa crafted his best opening no-one except RVP bothered to get themselves up the pitch. One more man and that attack would have been a really promising one, but instead he was forced to attempt the impossible through-ball to RVP.
I think he could definitely give us a good hour or so, he's had some decent minutes against Bayer Lev and should hopefully have had a full weeks training clear of flu etc. I think he just gives us something else and could be that Young could be someone who could be a good impact player were City to run the pressure up in the second half and we end up on the counter more.
Not looking good is it?
Why?
Probably because RVP is out meaning Rooney plays through the middle, freeing up Kagawa's natural position, and he still doesn't get picked.
Because Van Persie is injured and he still can't get a game through the centre. Because he's hardly played at all despite being fit.
According to Moyes himself he hasn't been fit enough. And I don't see why Moyes would lie about that
He was never going to start today. Looked a bit too rusty against Bayer
I thought he did OK in his last game as well, a player like Kagawa needs games to settle into the side. It's a waste of time picking him once every 6 games.
Not really indication of anything, he is fighting with Rooney for position, and for left wing with Young/Nani/etc, and van Persie being out means nothing for him, Rooney's favourite position is behind the striker even with van Persie missing.
Yeah, its surprising he doesnt get to play behind Rooney when RVP's out. City away is a big reason for that though, it'l be a battle out there and I can understand why Moyes went for Welbeck.
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