Whilst Shinji Kagawa has shown great potential since joining United in the summer, we’ve yet to see him shine on a consistent basis. He has spent a large chunk of the season injured and for some reason seems to fade in the second half and not influence the game as much.
Sir Alex Ferguson has today defended Kagawa and claimed that our young Japanese player is still adapting to the more physical nature of this league.
“The difference between German and English football is that in Germany you can’t foul,” Ferguson said. “You are not allowed to touch anyone in Germany, so he has come from that environment to the Premier League which is totally different. There is a physicality to our game which is different from Germany, but next year he’ll be better. I thought in the first half-hour [against Real] he was terrific and he was making some great runs through them. We thought that was going to be one of our biggest assets in the game, someone to play in the second balls and he was just unlucky with a couple of heavy touches on the ball. But he kept on opening them up and if people don’t see that, it’s actually unfair, but he did really well for us in the first half.”
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Agreed with the assessment against RM, however when that happened we left far too much space in midfield and allowed Alonso and Ozil too much time.. I suppose you have to take risks at some point though. Onwards and upwards Shinji.
Keep it going, Shinji, we’re behind you all the way! I’m getting his no. 26 shirt to wear for the pre-season match in Yokohama!
I thought he did the same, he did well in the first half but both him and Van P got isolated and got mobbed every time they got the ball.
I expect big things from this guy next season or even before next season. There are some clutch matches coming up.
They guy has great vision and a def touch. Just needs to strengthen up abit. Think hes guna be a key player for us next season..
That much is evident.
There were a few times when he showed the confidence to hold on to the ball in the 2nd half; considering we had no great possession. He actually did well i thought but held on to the ball for a bit too long and its something he’ll pick up thus season having been dispossesed those many times this season. Nevertheless its great to see him wanting to be involved in the game.
He’s intelligent and next season will see him hopefully use his first year experience and blood into the pace of the english game soon.
I felt criticism of his performance was unfair. He was incredibly for 30 mins of that RM game. He was creating, making incisive runs, keeping the ball well when under pressure.
The lad is still only 23 still learning his trade no doubting his quality
Looks like a great player in the making. Evryone needs a couple of seasons to really settle in at Old Trafford – except Van P and Eric of course.