Each week a Japanese television crew turn up at Old Trafford in the hope that Shinji Kagawa starts for Manchester United.
Around
an hour before kick-off there are usually forlorn looks and sad faces
when the team sheets are distributed: No Shinji, no footage to send back
home.
On Wednesday night it
was different, with genuine delight on their faces when the forgotten
man of Manchester United was handed a rare start. Tokyo was put on
stand-by for something special.
Chance to shine: Shinji Kagawa was handed a rare start - but failed to impress
He was in the team to
face Real Sociedad in the Champions League, picked to play on the left
in only his fourth start of the season.
The
Japan international prefers the role in the hole, the No 10 position
behind the main striker, but he will take anything right now.
It
was a rare chance to shine in a big Champions League group game; an
opportunity to be involved in the action from the very beginning. He
comes with pedigree after a stellar career with Borussia Dortmund but he
has struggled to adapt to the physical demands of English football.
Fluffing his lines: Kagawa was played out on the wing and did not impress.
Manager David Moyes
wants durable athletes; robust players who can tackle first and send the
sweet touches towards Wayne Rooney second. That’s his way.
Kagawa’s a luxury item, expendable the moment Moyes convinces himself that this team will need to dig in for a result.
He
is committed to a second season at United, determined to force his way
into the team and flourish the moment he gets a run in the side. On
Saturday, when they play Stoke, he can expect to be among the
substitutes again.
This was not his night, not even with excitable TV cameras from home trained on his every touch. He didn’t get nearly enough.
Wing wizards: Ryan Giggs, Andrei Kanchelskis and Steve Coppell all made their name out wide
Kagawa
wants to play in Rooney’s position, but he doesn’t have the work-rate
of his rival for a place in the team. Rooney was excellent.
Kagawa
remains the first reserve for Rooney: on the fringes of a team that is
still settling into their rhythm under a new manager.
The
fixture had rotation written all over it; a night for the squad players
to get a run-out against this struggling Sociedad side.
Out of position: Kagawa prefers to play in the No 10 role, but Wayne Rooney is first choice there.
George
Best, Steve Coppell, Andrei Kanchelskis and Ryan Giggs are among some
of the greatest names in United history to race down either wing at Old
Trafford. Kagawa is nowhere near their class.
He wasn’t involved nearly enough in United’s good moves and when he had the chance to score, he fluffed his lines.
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