The mystery surrounding Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa

Manchester United manager David Moyes knows he will be asked about Shinji Kagawa in every single press conference. He is more responsive to the questions than Sir Alex Ferguson ever was, even if he is less sure about the player.

Kagawa and Manchester United looked a dream combination when he first arrived from Borussia Dortmund The first season saw glimpses of the midfielder’s talent, specially during his hat trick against Norwich that showed off the change of pace and finishing skills that made him such an idol at Dortmund.

Kagawa was trusted by Ferguson to start away at Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie last season on the left side of a midfield diamond, but was only rarely granted the central position to allow him to make the incisive, late runs that are his forte.

When Kagawa was left out of Moyes’ matchday squad for the opening home game against Chelsea, the rumblings began. The Moyes doubters had their sacred cow; that a Manchester United manager would ignore such a player was proof of his unsuitability for the job.

The intermittent flashes of genius were enough to convince that Kagawa should be a key player. However, Wayne Rooney occupies the role that Kagawa supporters want for their man, a role that he dons at the international level.

Kagawa played at Real Sociedad, starting on the left wing, before Ashley Young’s arrival pushed him behind Robin van Persie in the position his admirers say is rightfully his, the playmaker’s role behind the main striker United became more productive, just as they did when Kagawa moved into the same position against Sociedad a fortnight ago in the game at home. Javier Hernandez inexplicably missed the golden chance Kagawa had expertly set up for him.

Moyes has slowly gathered an appreciation of Kagawa’s potential in a central role, but there remain doubts over his ability to impose himself on games. There are far too many moments where the flicks do not come off, and an opponent’s strength shakes him off the ball.

While Rooney continues to occupy the central role, Adnan Januzaj’s rise to prominence has made a left-hand role far less of a certainty, even in the light of Nani and Young’s fading cachet. Januzaj’s future surely lies in the centre, and at 18, he already exhibits a physical and moral courage that Kagawa is yet to reveal.

It all leaves Kagawa’s long-term future open to question. Recent rumours had him wanting out in January to win a World Cup place,his international form has been suffering too. A return to Dortmund is mooted, but they have moved on,Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been hugely impressive in what was once Kagawa’s position.

“I had an easier time playing as a shadow top [No. 10] than I did on the left wing,” Kagawa told his dedicated reporters in San Sebastian after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with La Real. “I need to be more involved in the match and I hope I can do so in our upcoming fixtures. I want to play better, sharper and faster.”

Moyes and United need that, too. Brief flashes are not enough though, Kagawa must adapt to prosper, or his future, and that of his personal press corps, lie elsewhere.