If we're going for a cake metaphor I'd say it's much more significant than the cherry. I'd say it's the icing.
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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Manuel was the least funny thing about it. Maybe not at the time, but watching it back now, that aspect hasn't aged well, for me. Whereas the dynamic between Basil and his missus is timeless.
The bullying of Manuel always sat a little uneasy with me tbh.
Haven't re-watched the show in years. I'd say there's lots of elements that haven't aged well but must give it a repeat viewing soon regardless.
Haven't re-watched the show in years. I'd say there's lots of elements that haven't aged well but must give it a repeat viewing soon regardless.
So we've started analyzing Evil Kagawa as well? Get in there. Let's have more people tell us if he's funny or not so that we can all agree.
You are a 50 something doctor professor master of all things etc. You are basically Moyes without the fame and money.
Pardon me if we don't take any advice from you regarding the art of humor and comedy.
Let's all stick to Fawlty Towers and Yes Minister, sip tea and put out the fire in the backyard. Any other person who doesn't agree is a moron. Stupid.
Eh, Yes Minister is still as brilliant and relevant as ever, while time has been less kind to Fawlty Towers.
Evil Kagawa is occasionally funny and often stupid.
I'm not well placed to give anyone advice on how to be funny. Fair point.
You really need lessons from someone, though. Almost anyone will do. The bar is set low enough to begin with but, for some reason, you still keep trying...
Yeah it's really not that funny. There are a few tweets that are funny but most are the ones that you laugh at because of how shit it is.
This thread just got shittier.
Giggsy loves him.
The best of a bad lot so far imo...
Oh how much better things would look if we had proper attacking fullbacks and a central midfield that can do more than just defend and keep possession.
Oh how much better things would look if we had proper attacking fullbacks and a central midfield that can do more than just defend and keep possession.
Oh how much better things would be if we had a left winger who could beat his man and put in a proper cross.
I agree.
With Kagawa/Mata as the no.10, though. Rooney is absolutely shite at this "playmaking" thing.
He's pretty useless when we play like this. We would be much better off playing Nani or Januzaj on the left if we are not playing Mata behind the striker for him to link with.
He's tried and looked about the only one with any ideas of how to break down the opposition. However most of the things he's tried have not come off. Some unlucky
Another good performance. This is easily his best period in terms of consistency in a Manchester United shirt. Expect a big season for him next season.
Yep, I love the way he finds the space and his passing is really good.
He seems to be a "second half of the season" player. During the second half of the season for Dortmund 11/12, he was easily their best player. During those months, you could definitely have called him world class. For Fergie he was also great in the last 3 months. One of our top performers, no doubt.
He's been one of our top performers in the last couple of weeks, which is probably why Giggs started him today.
I still feel bad for him, though. Even if he's performing well enough on the left, he really does belong behind the striker. He's a victim of his own off-the-ball movement right now. It makes him a better winger than Mata, and thus he's pushed out wide. But a part of me believes that he would be better off playing 100% as an AM, even if it meant warming the bench a little more.
He's been one of our top performers in the last couple of weeks, which is probably why Giggs started him today.
I still feel bad for him, though. Even if he's performing well enough on the left, he really does belong behind the striker. He's a victim of his own off-the-ball movement right now. It makes him a better winger than Mata, and thus he's pushed out wide. But a part of me believes that he would be better off playing 100% as an AM, even if it meant warming the bench a little more.
Played fine but his biggest problem is that numbers aren't going to defend him. Look at Mata, haven't played half the season, comes in and starts assisting. Games go on and he's started adding goals to his game. Today, comes in, 2 minutes in and scores his first, minutes later scores his second. I don't mind if Kagawa doesn't add this to his game as long as others will get the numbers and he'll simply move the game forward, but when there will be days that neither Rooney ( which happens very often ) nor Mata will produce some magic, he'll have to step it up.
He got an assist today though. He's actually started to pick them up consistently recently, and playing well consistently. Obviously it's hard to fit them all in, but I'd play him in midfield. Offers everything cleverley does and more.
I think that he's always played 'well' for us, maybe had a game or two that he was completly off, as said, I don't mind his lack of numbers but it would've been fantastic if he added them. Midfield sounds like a plan definitely but question is whether HE would like to play there.
If Van Gaal is coming to United, I think that he stated that he always plays with 4-3-3, maybe he can fit Kagawa in the midfield trio then ?
Yeah I agree. Definitely think he's capable of playing sort of like a 4-1-4-1, ahead of Carrick, slightly behind mata, and then 2 wingers and Rooney up top. Sort of how we always played, just mata deeper then our usual second striker.
Personally, I'd love to see us try a midfield 3 with Carrick, Mata and Kagawa for the remaining games. We have absolutely nothing to play for, and all our central midfielders bar Carrick aren't good enough for our starting lineup.
Kagawa started his career as a defensive midfielder, has the best stamina in the team, runs the most during our games, and he has a good understanding with Mata. If we have a high defensive line with Carrick providing defensive cover, then I'm positive it could work out.
Kagawa started his career as a defensive midfielder, has the best stamina in the team, runs the most during our games, and he has a good understanding with Mata. If we have a high defensive line with Carrick providing defensive cover, then I'm positive it could work out.
It was funny watching Shinji today...
First half he was not really involved and didn't play as either a winger or playmaker per say...
Second half he was far better, wondering centrally and creating a few things...
Then he was subbed after an hour
Story of Shinji's season really, poor lad! But he shouldn't be allowed to leave United EVER
First half he was not really involved and didn't play as either a winger or playmaker per say...
Second half he was far better, wondering centrally and creating a few things...
Then he was subbed after an hour
Story of Shinji's season really, poor lad! But he shouldn't be allowed to leave United EVER
No other player in our team moves with or without the ball as well as he does. He creates so much space for other players that it's unbelievable. He also seems to find out of any tight spot with three or four defenders surrounding him. He lacks a little end product, but at Dortmund, he showed that he can provide that as well.
Had some spark today, I enjoy watching him play when he's moving well. Hopefully we get a manager in that will modernize our system and really get the most out of him.
His passing is just so crisp!
Wasn't he injured most of the first half of that season?
Can someone post a Dortmund lineup and where he usually played? For me a team of Adnan, Mata and Kagawa just wont work. Its not pressing or athletic enough in so many ways. Pretty sure you couldnt say that about the players Kagawa had around him at Dortmund which is more my point.....
I thought he was one of our better players, starting to try and make things happen now rather than just keep the ball moving. He's showing that playing from the left isn't an issue if the system allows him to drift and the other players work around it. I really think he and Mata next season will be a big part in our play, so much potential in them two of a central striker, just needs someone with pace who can put in a good cross to balance it out on the other flank.
Sahin, Kagawa, Gotze and Großkreutz aren't the most athletic players.
I must be going crazy. I thought it was Sahin and not Gundogan playing there when Kagawa was at Dortmund.
No, you're thinking about the 10/11 season. Incidentally, that's the season he made Bundesliga Team Of The Season despite being injured for the entire second half
This was Dortmund's midfield/attack in 11/12:
- Bender - Gündogan -
Götze - Kagawa - Kuba
---- Lewandowski ----
Kuba is fairly pacy, but that's about it.
Right now, it might not be ideal to play Mata, Kagawa and Januzaj at the same time, but it would definitely work if we had a better CM and fullbacks who join our attack.
I can't see Giggs trying a 4141 or even a 433 (where Kagawa stays a little deeper and Mata moves ahead) however I would like to see him try Kagawa in place of Cleverley because I don't think it will be much worse. Mata could play left midfield or even right midfield drifting in assuming Giggs wants to play 442.
It's worth having a look for a game and seeing how it does.
4231 with Kagawa LAM and Mata CAM is fine also however Giggs has been talking a lot of the so called United way...
It's worth having a look for a game and seeing how it does.
4231 with Kagawa LAM and Mata CAM is fine also however Giggs has been talking a lot of the so called United way...
Feck the so-called United way. We have 2 brilliant attacking midfielders, and not a single good winger. 4-4-2 should be out of the question. Valencia is past it, it's clear as day. He might be one of the quickest players in the world, but his technique is average, his crosses are shite, he can't beat a man, and he has no left foot. Nani is all over the place as usual, and injured half the time. Januzaj is still a kid. Welbeck is definitely not a winger. And Young... Well, let's not go there.
I strongly believe he will thrive a lot under LVG. The Dutchman is a big fan of passing and moving, typical of Ajax's school of thought.
I thought he was pretty poor today. Offered no width on the left where he was supposed to be. Even his touch and usually excellent passing were a bit off. Should've gone with Nani or Januzaj (was he injured?). In fairness, he's not a winger and it showed.
Well that's just not true because first of all he wasn't meant to offer width on the left. He's usually just given a free role as he was given today and roams inside to help keep possession as well as offer some creativity, and offer an option to pass to always. Like he did.
He was tired by the end, he was trudging back in an offside position when everyone was already up and out trying to build new attacks. Wasn't particularly impressive but had his moments. Needs to start imposing himself more, no excuse not to be against a team as poor as Norwich
Kagawa should never start ahead of Mata in my opinion. He carries no goal threat whatsoever, whereas Mata is always looking to get into the 6 yard box to pick up any scraps - that's where his 2 goals came from. Kagawa just doesn't get into those positions.
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