Shinji Kagawa: the journey and the road ahead

It was the first game of the season, away against Everton: the game where Fellini tormented and tortured a hapless United defence, and a certain Robin van Persie struggled to mesh into the set-up.

Shinji Kagawa against Everton

It was Kagawa’s first touch in the game that was enough to convince me of his credentials; I was instantly a believer.

Kagawa collected the ball near the half-line with his back to the goal, turned and was quickly charged down by Heitinga. It seemed he had the ball stuck between his feet and Heitinga looked sure to win the ball, when Kagawa nonchantly nutmegged Heitinga, and with his second touch, launched a gorgeous through-ball to van Persie.

Five seconds, and in those five seconds, you saw a combination of supreme skill, rare vision and profound awareness. Sir Alex and company knew that it was money well spent.

The season however wasn’t anywhere close to being as rosy as those five seconds. Struggling with injuries, the physicality of the English game and United’s tendency to add width and operate from the wings meant that Kagawa was no longer in an environment where his skills and pure intellect could help him succeed.

Sir Alex was still patient and featured him in numerous roles, sometimes as a left winger, and sometimes as a box to box midfielder while trying to get him maximum minutes as a trequartista. Kagawa did have his moments as he created history by becoming the first Asian player to score a Premier League hat-trick in United’s match against Norwich, and starred in United’s final home game against Swansea.

However, it was nothing close to his 17-goal, 13 assist season for Dortmund. In 22 games, 17 of which he started, he managed to score 6 goals and notched up 3 assists.

Now, for a player who started in the second division of the Japanese league with Cerezo in Osaka, to get a chance to feature for one of the biggest clubs in the world is a milestone in itself.

Kagawa could have been content with coming this far, enjoyed the status of being quite possibly the most celebrated Asian player, and also paved the path for many other prodigal Asian players. Quite like Park Ji-Sung, the much loved and respected United player who many United fans were already identifying Kagawa with.

However, Kagawa is a much different player. He is too self-critical to accept a bits and pieces role, and he is too motivated to just be happy with being the player that he is today.

He is sure to try and get stronger, work harder, add some much needed muscles and do everything he can to make himself a better player. And when a player works this hard, it is also important that the manager rewards him for his toil.

This is where the man-management and resource-utilization of David Moyes will be tested. He has openly stated his admiration for Robin van Persie and he has his task cut out in keeping Wayne Rooney satisfied and happy at the club.

Further, as the manager of the biggest English club, he has the pressure to ensure that prospective World Cup inclusions like Welbeck and Cleverley get maximum playing time. Moyes also recognizes that the role of the No. 10 can be played effectively by the trio of Kagawa, Rooney and Welbeck. Welbeck had a great game against Swansea, where he slotted in as the supporting striker behind van Persie. Rooney was arguably the man of the match when he was deployed as the No. 10 against Chelsea.

In such circumstances, Kagawa may never have the opportunity to play in his favoured trequartista role. So it is only natural that the likes of Atletico Madrid are making enquiries and the Westfalenstadion faithful are launching outrageous Twitter campaigns.