Why Shinji Kagawa needs to leave Manchester United

Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa (R)

Manchester United’s problems this season are well-documented. The reigning Premier League champions are languishing down in seventh place in the league and have been dumped out of both domestic cups, with David Moyes’ only chance of a trophy in his first season in charge now being the Champions League. The January transfer window saw the purchase of Juan Mata from Chelsea for a club record fee but so far, it has done nothing to stifle United’s poor form.

If it were possible for any one player to sum up United’s woes, then it would perhaps be their Japanese play-maker Shinji Kagawa, who has been out-of-favour at the club for the majority of the season. Signed from Dortmund in 2012, there was an understandable sense of optimism around Old Trafford when he was brought to the club but he has so far failed to live up to those high expectations, leading to inevitable speculation that he will be forced out of the club this summer.

It is by no means Kagawa’s fault. He is a top class player when he is played in the number 10 role. But there is just too much competition to play in this role behind the lone striker, especially now Mata has joined the club. It seems impossible to budge Wayne Rooney from that position, meaning that Kagawa has been forced to play on the left-hand side of midfield when he has got a game this season. But the former-Dortmund man hasn’t got many opportunities at all in truth; he has played in just nine league games so far, only completing 90 minutes twice.

Kagawa League Appearances 2013/14

It is obvious that United play a system which in no way suits his style of play. The only way he can play to his potential in their 4-4-1-1 system is if he plays in that number 10 role. When he has been stationed on that left-wing he has looked bereft of ideas and his willingness to roam inside into his more favoured area has left Patrice Evra extremely isolated on that side of the pitch. Adnan Januzaj’s breakthrough and Ashley Young’s return to full fitness means the Japanese international hasn’t even featured on the left recently.

Kagawa has created just five chances on goal for his teammates in the league this season, proving that there is just no room for him in Moyes’ plans.

He has also attempted just six shots and won just eight take-ons this season. He has completed more tackles (10) than he has created chances, completed dribbles or attempted shots this season, which tells you all you need to know about where he stands at Old Trafford.

Kagawa 2013/14 Duels

Talk is rife of a move for Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in the summer with Kagawa being used as a make-weight. This seems like the right move for all parties currently. United get their all-action central midfielder, whilst Dortmund get back the play-maker that helped them win two Bundesliga titles on the bounce. The time has come to surely move the Japanese international on, as it seems there is just no room for him with Moyes unwilling to move away from that 4-4-1-1 system.