Shinji Kagawa: Ingenious or ignominious?

Two years before when Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to watch Borussia Dortmund face Bayern Munich in the German cup final, Shinji Kagawa was tormenting Bayern Munich left, right and center. A series of scintillating displays in front of those steely eyes of SAF ensured Kagawa a very high profile transfer to the theatre of dreams and only that remains the major highlight in his Manchester United career till now.

Shinji is considered as a balletic number 10 and is very highly rated by his Borussia Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp. In fact, Klopp was the one who signed him from the Japanese club Cerezo Osaka and then polished this rough diamond. Kagawa was instrumental and at his brilliant best during his two years at Dortmund where they won back to back Bundesliga titles and the German Cup. Bundesliga is the league where he earned his name, became a master of his trade and tortured any kind of defence with his clever movement and his uncanny passing skills.

The Japanese international was very much in Ferguson’s plan in his first year at Old Trafford. Chiefly deployed as a left winger and a regular starter, he did not have a telling influence every time on the team. David Moyes has used Shinji Kagawa a lot in his preferred No 10 position this season and so far he has responded to that with spasmodic performances. He was magnificent against Bayer Leverkusen where he took over the number 10 role and decimated the opposition with his vision and smartness. United’s next match was against a spirited Tottenham side where he started in the No 10 slot again and was a colossal flop. Kagawa seems to be an underwhelming influence when the teams are physical, rarely goes into a full blooded tackle and at times does not seem to give his 100 percent. His ball retention skills have not been up to the mark which is not helping this current poor midfield of United.

Till now, Shinji has not completely adapted to the premier league style of play. The league is physical, pacy, intimidating considering the fact that the players never really think twice before making a strong tackle. The fact that he is yet to adapt to this is really vindicating his sporadic performances at United so far resulting in a decline of his confidence. The difference in style of play between the German and the English league is a major factor which made Shinji a genius in Germany and a lackadaisical player here in England.

Amongst all the midfielders that United have this season, Kagawa and Januzaj are technically much better and they both have an eye for a pass. This is the season where United need Kagawa more than ever, they need a creative force that can create as well as score goals apart from Rooney who has been doing it consistently. He needs to take the matters in his own hands which will then allow United to make a strong case to make it to the top 4 at least before the league ends. In the current season for Manchester United, Kagawa has not contributed an assist or a goal, which if changed instantly and then if done consistently will cement his place in the starting line up in his preferred number 10 role. David Moyes is looking for a consistent catalyst in the midfield and an experience player like him should provide just that.

This season has been poignant considering United’s recent history which has been filled with only titles and medals. United fans have been really sanguine about Kagawa and the stage is set for him to return the favor. Nevertheless, it was Ferguson who brought Kagawa to Old Trafford and rarely his judgment ends up being a long shot!