Shinji Kagawa – The Samurai waiting to be unleashed

Known for his vision, technique, movement, deft passing and a penchant for the long range effort; Manchester United fans were tempted to think that Shinji Kagawa, on his transfer from BVB, was the missing link which would make the ball transition from defence to attack more fluid and easier. But after a meagre eleven league appearances with a return of just two goals and two assists, Kagawa hasn’t exactly set the Premier League alight. So where has it gone wrong for the Red Devils’ samurai?

Shinji Kagawa poses infront of the Stretford End after his transfer to Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund.

The 23-year-old playmaker began life at Old Trafford with a string of promising performances, including a goal on his home debut against Fulham. But just three months into his career, he suffered a series on injury setbacks, which has been a major stumbling block to the level of cohesion he had developed with his team-mates. Since his return from injury, Kagawa has seen a considerable amount of game time, and has shown flashes of the brilliance that is expected of him.

For example, the 1-2 flick he pulled off against West Brom with Ashley Young that led to a goal. The flick was Cantona-esque (remember that, eh?), and nobody else on the field could have even thought of that as a possibility. Another instance was the tiki-taka with RvP and Chicharito against Wigan the following week that left the fans in awe, where there was a string of seven or eight one-touch passes that cut through the Wigan midfield in a matter of seconds. Kagawa needs a run of games to start building an understanding with his team-mates and his striking partners. More importantly, he needs time so that his teammates realize how to play the ball to him so as to utilize his strengths – put it ahead with some space for him to run into.

Another reason for Kagawa not playing up to his potential is that until now he has rarely been played in the position he excels in; as the trequartista or at the tip of the midfield diamond, where his vision is best utilized when linking the midfield and attack. We have seen Kagawa start behind the main striker on the opening day at Everton – a role he excelled in; we have seen him moved to the left wing to accommodate Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney in the system, and in his outing against Newcastle, Kagawa often found himself on the right of a lopsided United midfield. Playing in a deeper position, such as the shuttling role in the diamond formation or as a central midfielder in the 4-4-2, is not the answer to unlocking his potential. But with the scintillating form of Rooney, who is also better at tracking back than Kagawa, Ferguson has often found it difficult to play Kagawa at the position in which he clearly excels. The million dollar question that arises now is if Fergie can successfully play Kagawa and Rooney together.

Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney celebrate the latter’s goal for Manchester United vs Southampton in the English Premier League.

Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are at their best during their snappy link-up play. If the Japanese international were to be given a chance to play behind one of them, or even both, then good things are likely to happen. On a personal note, in order to accommodate Van Persie, Rooney and Kagawa in their preferred positions, Ferguson can opt for the 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation. The 4-3-2-1 will see RvP upfront, with Kagawa playing right behind him, linking midfield to attack, and Rooney shuttling in a free role alongside Kagawa. Kagawa needs to operate between the lines, his elegant technique more suited to opening up defences rather than starting attacks. His finishing in and on the edge of the box was often terrific at Dortmund, and we’ve yet to really see that from him this term. While defending, Rooney can always drop back due to his better retrieval abilities and lay off the ball to Kagawa, who will be further up the pitch to initiate a lethal counter attack which he so efficiently did at Borussia Dortmund.

Kagawa is a nimble trequartista, not a box-to-box midfielder. His nimble feet, deft touch and uncanny ability to make quick and lethal decisions under pressure is what makes Kagawa a terrorising prospect when he is hurtling down at opposition defences. Manchester United must play to his strengths and allow him to operate in an advanced position, even if that means displacing Rooney from his current position; considering the fact that Rooney has played as a central midfielder when called upon by the manager and has also voiced his intent on playing at the heart of midfield in the future. (Though this option will be a long shot, considering the fact that Cleverley and Carrick are in fantastic form.)

Can he make the cut at Old Trafford?

Kagawa’s debut season with United has, at best, been average. A couple of goals, some flashy passes, but he’s generally been anonymous for many of his appearances. He will take time to settle, which can only be expected, but based on his rise from the lower leagues of Japan to playing for one of the biggest clubs on the planet, he certainly has the pedigree to succeed, and once he has settled in, he’ll be darting through the hearts of defenses with deft one-touch passes with Cleverley, and hitting lethal final passes to Van Persie, Rooney, Welbeck and Chicharito.

Patience is a luxury ill-afforded in football these days, and an immediate return on investment is expected in the world of multi-million pound deals. RvP may be the one who will bring the title back to the Theatre of Dreams and turn Manchester red again, but it will be Kagawa who will keep it that way for years to come.