After returning from Manchester following his medical and contract signing, Shinji Kagawa landed in Tokyo’s Narita Airport and confirmed to the Japanese press he had turned down the chance to wear the famous #7 shirt.
“I’ve just joined the team and haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Kagawa told journalists. “I want to make a name for myself [at United] on my own terms.”
He said that he had asked for a number “with personal meaning”, which has to lead to speculation in the Japanese media that the player could wear the 8, 26, or 29 as he did at Cerezo Osaka, or the 23 shirt he donned at Dortmund. Anderson currently wears 8 but there is the possibility he will be moved on this summer, whilst Tom Cleverley has the 23 shirt. 26 was last worn by Gabriel Obertan who moved to Newcastle last season and 29 belonged to Tomasz Kuszcak who has just joined Brighton.
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nice touch that, earn the shirt indeed. Class already!!!
Let him take number 8 shirt & ship Ando out on loan.
If he does get number 8, we will finally know where Anderson stands in the eyes of Sir Alex. But I think he will get number 26.
Actually i preferred the number 7 shirt is wear by someone who is truly special and has his own personality.
Compare this to Eden Hazard who wanted everything up front.
More respect to anyone who’s determined to earn their status. This guy sells shirts, makes goals, scores goals, is young and has a top attitude. Very hopeful he’ll be what we need him to
Eden Hazard will reveal on Twitter what number he’s donning……
Asian footballers are honest and determined players. Remember js park? Inamoto at arsenal? They earn their respect not demand it like some fringe european players. Insha Allah kagawa will lead man u to CL, F A, Champions league glory.
This lad really ticks all the right boxes. A stack contrast to the ‘hazard’. We will look back in the future and say we were damn lucky getting him
let him make no 26 to be popular shirt in oldTRA.
Great chap. #26 will be very odd for a top player but it will be OK when he starts performing.
As far as #8 goes I think if we don’t sell Ando then it should remain with him. If we take that number from out then Ando’s confidence would take a huge blow.
@ Willie Red Nut @ 13.12 , Class as normal Willie made me spit my tea out woth laughter .keep it up mate.
Top lad. He will earn it one day.
You know somewhere in my heart and mind I have a feeling this guy will surpass the contribution made by Cristiano Ronaldo. He could be better than CR7 was for us. I know its a very big statement but the praises everyone is giving to this boy makes me believe that he is going to be a star player.
On other note I really want to see a kagawa assist and Hernandez goal. Great moment in the making.
I think its a gud decision for him
Kagawa, humble and respectful, all the hallmarks of a future United legend! Give him what he wants & he’ll earn the rest of it. Compare that to a certain ‘hazardous’ Belgian who will flop in London.
Ash…….suprpass Ronaldo’s achievement is” going too far”. there’s no question about this guy performance and contribution in Germany, but now it’s a new challenge and a new league.I think we should give him time to adjust and adapt and i really have a very good feeling about this transfer.
Back to number thing. when Kagawa was offered the number 7 shirt,does it mean we’re not going to get another player,who deserves to get the famous number seven???
I’d turn it down too after seeing the waste of space who wore it and desecrated it before him.
i tink he should b given on 26 so dat andarson learn 4rm him
@NRD: Chill pal, he may not have deserved it, but as far as we know, he certainly didn’t ask for it. As for ‘waste of space’ a scouse legend searting the 4-3 moment into the collective consciousness of United fandom, well I think that along made it worthwhile.
NRD – That’s no way to talk about Ronaldo mate.
Another reason, if any were needed why this lad Kagawa has gone straight into my heart
Willie
I think me mate NRD was referring to Cantona…..!!
Punish him for being so humble and give him number 1. No seriously, i admire his mentality, i hope his talent and qualities shines through but we should be careful and not think kagawa will solve everything himself.
For me the number 7 lost it’s prestige when we gave it to Micky Owen. I think we should of left it vacant till someone suitable came along. What was the point of having a number 7 that never played?
To be honest I really do not get all the hype about player numbers these days……..Its the player that makes the number and not the other way around…….
You only have to look at the numbers worn by the likes of Ole, Scholes, Keane etc….
I turned down the number 69 shirt? Still regret it to this day…..
Willie
I was under the impression that you created the ’69′ no?
Cedars
I know numbers are not that much relevant but This is Manchester united. Here everything becomes a history. Can you imagine like this in chelsea or city where some number is significant. This shows we are a class apart from other clubs. Here everything is special. Players thrive here forp erformance and winning trophies. Sometimes we win sometimes we don’t but the passion is always there.
@ jeet – I won’t begrude anyone enjoying that 4-3 win and his winner. I can’t that weekend was a horrible time for my family and I but fortunately we came through. As far as I know Owen was offered it and didn’t say No.
However I do agree with mancdub. The number 7 is prestigious and theres nothing wrong with fans being sentimental about a certain squad number. There’s millions of people who base their whole life round numbers.Numerology etc.
Owen was a waste of time signing never an option when he was here and that dossier he sent out round the world was the one of the biggest con jobs in history.
@WRN – Lol Good one. The amount Owen played could almost believe you thought I meant Ronnie!
@ Cedars – Actually I was on about Robbo!!!
Ash
Not sure I get your point mate………..Back in the 70′s players on the pitch were always 1 to 11, you never saw numbers like 20, 22 etc……..I mentioned Scholes, Ole and Keane who all wore ‘silly’ numbers but are still legends are they not?
Yes I understand that the numbers 7, 9 and even 10 are still looked at as being significant but in all honesty I do not care which number a United great actually carries
The only thing I didn’t like about Owen was him getting the spot on the bench for the CL final ahead of our top scorer Berbatov
Nani you are up.
NRD
That was nasty and way below the belt!! Good one though! ha ha ha
Cedars
See like you said numbers never matter. But in historical clubs e.g United,Real madrid, and milan players thrives for wearing certain numbers. For ex in united #7 is the best, in madrid #9 is considered as special. I know it is irrelevant but what is shows is these clubs are very historical. It keeps us apart from other clubs.
Cedars – I did invent that mate? You know me too well!
Can Kagawa have Shirt No. 0 (ZERO) ?? He can be our Japanese Zero fighter plane and shoot down all the opposition.
Honestly- this fella seems to be a class act.
Can’t help thinking about his song to the tune of ‘Radio Gaga’… It has never been done and imagine the Stretty clapping in unison to that- its a lot better than doing it to Gaga’s Bad Romance-
All we need is-
Shinji Kagawa!
Shinji Ka-gawa
Shinji Kagawa-
He chose Red not Blue-
Shinji, we, loooove yoooou!
Seriously- sing it round your house and tell me it won’t be infectious.
All we need is…
I don’t think there will be a big shifting of numbers.
he’ll get a number that’s free.
Never will Fergie strip a player for his number who’s still at the club.
The significance of number and its confidence boost. Rafael2
Welbeck9
These will make them feel accepted and I think the number7 should be rested till we get marquee signing with charisma. Becks, Best, Cantona etc
Give number 7 to Cleverley, it will boost his moral.
this lad is really the kind of signing that embodies the spirit of the United way, very good signing… Long Live United…. Welcome the most Prestigious Football Club Ever
Fergie will talk him round. Shinji-san, you were born to wear United’s number 7. Don’t worry about your lack of accomplishments at the club – Ronaldo hadn’t done anything either and like you, he tried to turn down the #7 shirt, requesting the number 28 that he wore for Sporting.
That said, it would be funny if he was granted the #23 shirt, scuppering Tom Cleverley’s plans for his much vaunted “TC23″ brand.
@zehl
Players have changed number while at the club before (I mean from a ‘first team’ number to a lower number), David May went from no. 4 to no. 14 in his last season at the club to allow Veron to take no. 4. Heinze also lost his no. 4 in his last season when Hargreaves joined, he also went to 14.
It’s rare, but it does happen, but ultimately the number on the guy’s back does not matter in the slightest, and neither does the holder of the number 7 either. The squad number system is an administrative thing made up by the FA.
Like Costas, I think the #7 will go to Nani if Shinji doesn’t want it.
I must say though, what a humble, modest young man this guy really is. He didn’t feel worthy of the iconic shirt. Even Ronaldo, accused of being preening and arrogant by all and sundry, tried to politely decline the opportunity/responsibility.
Naturally, former Liverpool favourite Michael Owen had no such reservations about taking the shirt that was once occupied by Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo.
I am loving this man more and more. He’s gonna be something REAL special at Old Trafford. I just CANNOT wait to see this guy on the pitch.
Gopher Brown – the writing was on the wall for those two players though, and both were on their way out of the club before long. Being forced to give up your squad number often does not sit well with the fragile ego of the professional footballer. Just ask Ivan “number 1+8″ Zamorano.
I can’t help thinking this is my fault. Yesterday I posted a picture of Shinji in a #26 shirt, and today I hear this. Quite a coincidence imo.
I think kagawa should go for #20 since fabio is going on loan
#20 KAGAWA
If I was giving the number 7 shirt to anyone it would have to be Tony V, he deserves it more than anyone
Now hang on, we’re being a little harsh on Owen here. Fergie gave Owen the number 7 because he knew anyone else would collapse under the pressure of following the most expensive player of all time, and the first United Ballon d’Or winner in 40 years.
Owen was a great choice. Best case scenario, he would’ve put in a good shift as striker. Worst case scenario, the next guy to own number 7 would have to follow in the footsteps of Michael Owen – the perennially injured sub. Easier goal.
Leetguy101 – you’re right, that’s why Fergie gave the 7 to Owen rather than Valencia. I was just being mischievous and pointing out the difference between two foreign lads showing such reverence to our shirt and the players who have worn it and a player who despite his association with our greatest rivals and knowing the antipathy a lot of our fans would feel towards him getting that shirt, had no qualms about taking it!
This really impressed me. What a great guy
As long as Kagawa does the business on the pitch………it really doesn’t matter what number he wears on the back of his shirt. Viva Kagawa!
Think Kagawa is more a natural #10. The was a lad on twitter who claimed Rooney would switch to 9 and Kagawa would talk 10. Find that even harder to believe than the idea that Kagawa would be offered the No7.
Anyway I am not a fan of the idea of Kagawa in the number 7. I also have not seen a direct quote saying anything about the #7. Lots of quotes like the one Scott posted.
Anyway, we may never know. If United did offer the #7, then it pretty much guarantees that we arn’t in for another ‘big’ midfield signing. Also not a surprise.
If man is 5 and the devil is 6. God is 7
wow…….! that’s the spirit .
If Gaaaaad is Seven…
If Gaaaaaad is Seven…
Pixies… Genius…
United fans? God is Seven… Cantona…!
The boy haz got a great atitude, I lyk hm a lot nd I must tel Man Utd fans that I think weve got da Asian version of Messi in this boy considering his smooth and clasy movement on the pitch like a Mercediz Benz on a wet free-way road.
All we nid is…..
shinji KAGAWA!!!
Love the guy already, but to be honest, this is what I’d expect from him. He is Japanese after all, and they are really hard working humble people and very honest. I think he will be a revelation for us this coming season. I really do.
He is calculative which i also think will have an impact upon his game whatever number he will wore will be the next big thing in our history bks
Smart move by Kagawa, with the No.7 shirt he would have put too much pressure on himself from the start itself. However if we look at the current squad, apart from Valencia so far I cannot see who else can wear that No.7 shirt… we need to bring up a new beckham from the academy or why not buy from some other team (like CR7 was)
Shiiiiiin-ji. This buy excites me so much.
where has the the hateful comments gone from when Shinji said he was still making his final decision to join United, people where so mad at him but now everyone calling him classy and humble.. fickle.
@Fred and Costas
I don’t think Nani will want the #7 myself. It puts him too much in Ronaldos shadow which since Ronaldo has moved on he has been able to move out of.
RE:Valencia
I don’t think he is right for #7 myself. It’s usually a number for a player who has the ability to do something truly special. Valencia is a lot more simple as a player than that, he really doesn’t have anything in his game that you instantly look at and think ‘wow that’s amazing’ but just like Gary Neville he knows he doesn’t have these skills in his locker but he has turned himself into a world class player by always playing for the team, being consistent, keeping things simple and most importantly by his sheer hard work and determination to get every last percentage out of the assets he does have (where as more talented players will often fail to exploit anywhere near their potential)
And don’t get me wrong Valencia is brilliant, would be one of the first names on my team sheet every game. Just that I feel his way of play isn’t really that of a #7 or that it would actually benefit him
Not sure Owen was right for #7 but he does/did have that ability to do something special (he did show it a few times for us). Of the players in our squad at the moment Nani or maybe Rooney are the most like a united #7 but don’t think either would want it
Shinji is a very good signing for united this year so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shinji you can wear any shirt you want to you are going to loves playing for united and maybe more great signing this year maybe we can buy lewandowski and any more great signing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone agree or disagree!!!!!!!!!!! Plus thanks god england are out of the euros
Give him #10,Rooney#7,Welbz#9 and Rafael#2
De Gea
Rafael,Evans,Vidic,Evra
Nani,Cleverly,Carrick,Young
Kagawa
Rooney
It seems to me that there was a ghost who has been wearing # 7 since CR7 left but i don’t remember his name as he appeared only 31 times for us.
shinji is such a brilliant signing.all our rivals are trully screwed
Guys pls b nice to Owen. Injuries aside, he was good for us and a real pro with d right spirit, never had one bad or negative thing to say about us.
Reposted:
There were rumors that Kagawa had been offered the No7 shirt. I posted that I found this very unlikely.
Now it it revealed that there were no discussions of any specific number at all and that such discussions wouldn’t take place until Kagawa and Fergie sit face to face later this summer.
Further, Kagawa doesn’t want any of the “important” numbers because he doesn’t want the pressure until he has proven himself.
This sounds a very sensible lad. Bring on the EPL, Bring on Aug 18! Bring on Everton!
RedArmy Fanzine
Kagawa was asked if his shirt number was discussed following some talk he would wear the number seven vacated by Michael Owen, but the Japan star appeared to quash those rumours.
“We did [discuss it] but nothing will be confirmed until Sir Alex comes back. Since I am very new to the club, I have no intention to get an important number. Let’s wait and see how it goes. I just told them my hope because I didn’t know which numbers are available.
“Having completed the transfer, I can’t think anything negative anymore. I feel positive. I would like to achieve big things with such a big, historical club. I know there’s a tough challenge ahead of me but I am excited to have the chance to take it.”
Thanks for the update Fletch. Seems highly probable to me that he will indeed be handed the #7 by Sir Alex.
Evening All!
Lot’s of early expectation on the guy Mr K. He is moving from a more technical league to the EPL. Let’s give him a chance to settle in, remember it took Vidic and Evra time too. Love the Japanese humility and work ethic. I really hope he does well but I am going to give him a year to settle in.
I cannot believe Kagwa is our only first team playable signing this summer. Come on SAF cough up. WHO is next in the queue, WHO is in and who is out.
One reason SAF may have held off on transfer business is to avoid unsettling United players or other players at Euro 2012. I have a feeling Nani might be moved on once Portugal exit to buy new players given his contract issues reported, so far with Ravel and Pogba the issues were true. Can’t see us getting much change from Ando, he is worth a cream pie or two but that’s not going to cut it squatting in our MF.
From what I have seen of Rooney his ability to retain possession and his passing had gone downhill faster than hooker in Manchester’s light district with the same after taste of a sour tart. United’s possession and passing against good teams is a huge worry, when you look at the competition out there at Euro 2012, we need to up a class from the Jones and Andos if we are going to compete. Pirlo. Masterclass. We will need a very strong and deep team of talented players to take the title of City this term and Chelsea will be up there. Also no African Cup of Nations means we don’t get to benefit from Toure the beasts absence.
give shinji kagawa no8 shirt and give Anderson no 26
Weather 7,29,23,10,8 e.t.c. All are mere numbers. It does not prove d quality of
a player on the pitch. So what matters is kagawas performance in the upcoming EPL. Although I’m convinced that he will shine throughout his stay in united. So he shouldn’t be confused with shirt number to go for.
Owen was a decent No.7 and a good player. I was gutted he was injured so much also i’m sure he was also.
But when he played he always added another dimension.
Dissing Owen is disrespectful – people get injuries we’re not machines!
Attack! Attack!
…………………………DDG……………………………
………………..Evans, Vidic, Jones…………………
Young…………………………………………..Tony V.
………………………..Carrick…………………………..
……………..Kagawa, ……..Rooney………………..
………………….Welbeck……………………………….
……………………………..Little Pea………………….