When Manchester United signed Borussia Dortmund’s influential midfielder Shinji Kagawa in the summer of 2012, there was a great deal of excitement, as one of the top young prospects in Europe agreed to become a Premier League player.
As the season unraveled, United were sensational, wrapping up the title by April and one of their two new superstars was in phenomenal form as Robin Van Persie stormed to the golden boot with 30 goals in all competitions. Kagawa however, struggled to get to grips with life in the Premier League, and was used sparingly, making just 26 appearances in league and cup, struggling to become a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting eleven.
And that use of Kagawa in a squad rotation policy has continued under Ferguson’s replace David Moyes. Much has been made of this by frustrated United fans, who are looking to give Kagawa a chance to be the link between midfield and attack. Youngster Adnan Januzaj has come in and impressed in that role, but with Kagawa in the ranks as well, the supporters don’t want to see a multi-million pound investment go to waste on the substitute’s bench.
And there’s no doubting that Kagawa has the ability to be one of the best attack-minded midfielders not only in the Premier League, but in the whole of Europe. He showed in his time with Dortmund in the Bundesliga he has the potential to be a fantastic footballer. Technically gifted with quick feet, the Japan international has fantastic skill, a great passing range, and a useful versatility - being able to play in a variety of positions with relative comfort. Something United have lacked over the last few seasons has been a creative spark from the middle of the park. They would be foolish to allow a player who has this ability to leave. Moyes must be patient, and allow him a further chance to establish himself in one of the world’s most physically demanding league.
He can score goals too - just look at his performance against Norwich City at Old Trafford last season, where he became the first Asian player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. The problem for Kagawa was inconsistency – those three goals equalled half of his total for the season. But at just 24 years of age, he already has 92 career goals to his name from his time with United, Dortmund and his first club, Japanese outfit Cerezo Osaka.
It’s important to remember also, that Kagawa is Japanese. There is huge interest in the Premier League in the Far East and the inclusion of a player in their squad from that area of the world could massively boost income from all forms of merchandising. Manchester United are a football club and institution that hardly needs to increase its reputation, but that reputation can come in very handy in places like Japan, where fans will feel more connected to a team that possess a player from their home country.
In conclusion, United cannot afford to let Shinji Kagawa leave the club. Januzaj may well have the ability to go on and become a superstar in years to come, but it’s too early in his career to place the pressure on him to be the leading creative outlet in midfield. Barring a huge investment in one of Europe’s other attacking midfielders such as Julian Draxler of Schalke, United would be foolish to allow a young, creative player like Kagawa, with flair and skill in abundance, to leave Old Trafford.
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