'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Shinji Kagawa:
Shinji Kagawa’s arrival at Old Trafford led to a sigh of relief from the fans as they finally had a playmaker of their own. Though his first season at the club was earmarked with injuries, it didn’t quite go according to plan. Into his second season, things are taking a turn for the worse, and not the better. Kagawa is on the fringes in David Moyes’ plans.
His lack of playing time has raised the ire of the United fans who believe that Manchester United aren’t really making use of Kagawa’s expertise. Many online campaigns, most notably #FreeShinji all but summarizes the anger of United fans who have seen a lack of invention in the center of the park.
His situation at Manchester United is similar to what Steven Pienaar faced at Everton, under David Moyes. Pienaar was thought to be a playmaker, a number 10. But he was a mere facilitator. Someone who can find space in a dead ball situation, someone who can spray passes, and more importantly, someone who can handle the ball under pressure.
In his early days at Everton, Pienaar was made to play in the center of the park. However, his best position, after years of experimentation turned out to be the left hand side. His devastating partnership with Leighton Baines was a positive one for Everton. He would drift into the center of the park, which would give Baines acres of space to run into.
Kagawa, like Pienaar is a facilitator. He doesn’t ask for the ball as a no. 10, he doesn’t have exhilarating pace, nor does he have the brute strength to get past defenders, but what he does have is quick feet and quick thinking, similar to Andreas Iniesta.
Infact, Japan’s no. 10 is CSKA Moskwa’s playmaker, Keisuke Honda. Honda is seen by many as the Japanese ‘Rooney’. Kagawa and Honda play in the hole behind the striker, it’s their deadly partnership that brings Japan their goals. If Kagawa can create a similar partnership with Wayne Rooney at United, it would open up the floodgates.
Kagawa can be a centrally minded left winger, but it’s all possible with nothing but patience from the fans, and Kagawa himself.
