Of flair and humility

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 12: Carl Valeri of Australia competes for the ball against Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa of Japan during the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier match between the Australian Socceroos and Japan at Suncorp Stadium on June 12, 2012 in Brisbane, Australia.

Shinji Kagawa’s decision to look beyond the much-coveted Number Seven jersey has raised many a wary eyebrow, and quite rightly so, for he possesses the finesse, the stance and the flair to slip into it. Kagawa’s feats in Germany have indicated his penchant for greatness. After quite a revealing first season at Borussia Dortmund, the 23-year-old Japanese international heralded his timely coming of age in the absence of industrious teammate Mario Gotze. He wove his way past defences to net 21 goals and established himself as a fan favourite. More importantly, he had become a fierce component of the born anew Dortmund midfield. Kagawa’s willingness to learn and adapt will augur well for the Old Trafford faithful, as he gets set to board a different train of football – a physically imposing Premier League awaits the nimble-footed Japanese star.

However, doom peddlers have overlooked the potential vested in Kagawa, citing United’s seemingly austere tendencies during the transfer market. And as Eden Hazard signed away to find glory at Stamford Bridge, Kagawa was seen as a mere exponent to boost sales in the Orient. It was widely anticipated that he would don the new number seven vacated by Michael Owen, but Kagawa’s humility has prevailed.

This is strictly where one can draw the line between Hazard and Kagawa. Despite having developed monstrous skill, the Belgian has also bred vanity. With help from his agent, he has manipulated and snuck his way into Chelsea’s latest overhaul. He had demonstrated the guile to hop from one from terminus to another, thereby becoming the latest of a growing breed of mercenaries.

Not only has Kagawa’s signing saved the Glazers a fortune, he also represents the opportunity to acquire new players. His fleet-footed forward play and the ability to produce defence-splitting passes could well provide the creative spark that United have struggled without during the last two seasons. Sir Alex can now afford to switch to a more attacking 4-2-3-1, where Rooney can go back to operating as the lone striker with aid from the likes of Kagawa, Young and Nani. Another alternative would be to orchestrate a 4-5-1 set-up in which Kagawa could be given the licence to follow the lone striker.

CHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 09: Michael Owen shares a joke with Wayne Rooney at Chester racecourse on May 09, 2012 in Chester, England.

Following his decision to not don the prestigious seven, there is an air of expectation surrounding the next probable candidate. Since fans had seen very little of Owen’s association, the usual element of pride seems to have taken the brunt. However, the emergence of Antonio Valencia will weigh on Sir Alex’s scheme to pick out the (next) special one. Valencia, since his transfer from Wigan Athletic, has etched his importance with scintillating wing play. His daunting runs along the flanks have been crucial in United’s forward moves. He uses his superior physical form to great advantage as he also tracks back to win possession. Playing right-back behind Valencia has to be one of the easiest and most pleasurable positions at United, given the Ecuadorian’s alarming work rate.

The vacancy could also eliminate any looming complacency in the squad. The current situation will constantly remind Sir Alex that the squad needs further grooming. In prudence, Kagawa’s unprecedented humility will remind the squad that there is always scope for improvement. With Kagawa’s arrival, United can now demonstrate an unlikely blend of flair and level-headedness.