Manchester United boss David Moyes makes Shinji Kagawa promise

Shinji Kagawa (R)

Manchester United boss David Moyes has promised forgotten man Shinji Kagawa that he will play “a lot more” from now until the end of the season, but must be patient due to the competition for places at the club.

Kagawa came off the bench during Saturday’s 3-0 win over West Brom for only his tenth league appearance of the season, and his first since early January, prompting Moyes to promise him further chances.

The Japan playmaker has struggled to hold down a place in the United side under both Moyes and his predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson since his 2012 move from Borussia Dortmund.

Having failed to get gametime in the first half of the season, the January arrival of Juan Mata looked to have made Kagawa’s first team prospects even more remote and hastened talk of an exit.

The 24-year-old has been strongly linked with a summer move away from the club and his season looked likely to peter out with little action.

However Moyes has insisted that Kagawa remains in his plans, telling reporters that he will play “a lot more from now until the end of the season.”

Only three United players have created more chances in this season’s Champions League than Kagawa.

Moyes on Kagawa: "We have competition for places with Adnan and Mata, but Shinji will play a lot more from now until the end of the season."

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 8, 2014