Shinji Kagawa

RED wrote:1st Asian player to score a hat trick today. He had a good game.

Well done Shinji!

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Does he start now? league wise?

Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has voiced his frustration at being sidelined by new boss David Moyes.

Kagawa, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson last summer, has played just seven minutes for Moyes's United this term, coming off the bench in the Community Shield win over Wigan in August.

But, after scoring a fine goal for Japan in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Ghana, the playmaker took the chance to concede he was disappointed by a peripheral role at Old Trafford.

"Please ask David Moyes why I'm not in the side," Kagawa, left out of the United squad beaten by Liverpool before the international break, told the AFP news agency.

"It is frustrating not playing but to score a goal like that gives me confidence. Hopefully I can take that back to my club with me and things will improve.

"It's hard not playing regularly. Some days the frustration is worse than others; it comes in waves.

"So it's nice to come back to Japan and get to play, and to score felt good.

"I just have to keep working hard and keep pushing for my chance. When I get back it will be a challenge to get into the team.

"When I get back to my club I have to wait for my chance in the Champions League and the Premier League. I'm sure my chance will come."

ronaldo__9 wrote:

manutd.com wrote:Afterwards, Moyes confirmed at his press conference that the midfielder is recovering from an illness the manager feels was contracted on international duty.

"Shinji hasn't been in that much; he's been travelling back and forth between us and Japan," Moyes said.

"Today, it looks as if he's picked up ‘flu through flying so much and he's been tired. He trained yesterday and didn't feel great. We hoped he'd improve in the hotel overnight but he didn't, so there's no need for us to take the risk.

"We're trying to get him back but we've not had the chance to see him and he's not been here that often, so we've not had the chance."

   Q. As a player, what do you feel is most noteworthy when spectating?

   SK: Well, I'd like everyone to watch the build up. The passes, the dribbles, the one-two's, the entire flow until we break down a defense. Also 'intensity'. European football is a very intense battle, so I think that's something.

   Q. Apart from goals, what plays do you like?

   SK: Anything that can surprise the supporters. Technique, dribbles, it's fun to watch plays like that.


   Q. How does the support from the fans feel?

   SK: The roaring crescendo at home is incredibly reassuring. We exist for the fans, and their presence is vital.

   Q. They say European supporters can be very unforgiving. As a player, do you feel that's the case?

   SK: One thing I noticed, over here there's a reaction to every play. A trap, a side change, an interception, when there's a good play like that, there is immediate applause. The crowd at Old Trafford can be very harsh. If you mess up, you get booed, if you pull off a good move, you get applauded. You can tell they watch each move very closely.


   Q. Is there any part of your play apart from goals, that you want the cameras to capture?

   SK: My game off the ball. The cameras can't help but focus in on the player who has the ball, but there are always other players creating space for that ball holder. Players who make sacrifices and work hard for the team, so it'd be nice if the cameras took a look at that too. Those plays are often the key point in a game. If there was more footage of those plays, I think the fans could form a deeper knowledge of the sport.

   Q. Anything specific in your play you want the fans to look for?

   SK: Personally, I feel my strength is in my movement, so my play when I receive the ball on the move is worth watching.


   Q. Not the kind of plays you see in a match digest.

   SK: No, the kind of plays you only notice when you watch the full 90.

   Q. You can only truly appreciate football if you watch the full game.

   SK: Football is a sport where one minute can make all the difference, and you never know what will happen until the very end. If you look away for a second, you could miss a goal, or a maverick move, so yes, I urge everyone to try and watch full games.


   Q. The knockout stages of the Champions League have come around. Tell us your aspirations.

   SK: The Champions League is a special stage for me. The world is watching, and it is the highest standard of football in the world, so my feelings about the tournament are very strong. Last season we were knocked out by Madrid at the group of 16, so this season first things first, I'll focus on beating Olympiakos and progressing to the group of 8.

   Q. You say it is a special stage. What does that mean for you personally.

   SK: It's the opportunity to be known around the world, and for my playstyle to be known. For instance, Dortmund aren't the biggest club around, but they went up to the finals playing exciting football, and that's very stimulating. If I can perform on that stage and showcase my football, it would only be positive for me.


   Q. Are there any clubs you would want to face in the Champions League?

   SK: Dortmund, and Barcelona.

   Q. Any specific players?

   SK: Messi, Iniesta. Players that are my ideal footballer. Especially Iniesta, as he's a player I have idolized ever since I turned pro. Their play is entertaining to watch, and their football style is what I personally consider ideal, so I would like to face them both.

   Q. Why Dortmund. Aren't you concerned Dortmund supporters might boo you?

   SK: I'd be happy if they did, as it would mean I matter.

   Q. Looking forward to meeting Klopp as well?

   SK: For sure, the players, the manager, all of them.

   Q. Why Barcelona?

   SK: They play my ideal football.


   Q. Tell us about your situation at United.

   SK: It's irritating that I've still not scored a goal this season. I've never had a dry patch like this in my career, so.... I put pressure on myself every game, "I'm going to score a goal", but somewhere I'm still losing to myself. I have to break through this and move forward if I want to grow. I want to focus on delivering results, as well as being stronger mentally.

   Q. It's a world cup year.

   The world cup's been a dream from boyhood, so I'm looking forward to it. I'd like us to advance, playing football we couldn't in 2010. I want our world cup performance to boost football popularity in Japan. To that end, we need to reach out and grab victory for ourselves.

   Q. Any personal goals for the world cup?

   SK: I missed out at the last minute in 2010, so this time I'd like to prove my ability on the pitch. I'm not going to casually proclaim 'As long as we're in it, we're going to win it'. I do have personal goals for myself, but to be able to realize that on the world cup pitch, I need to first deliver for my club. With the situation I'm in, how I use the time between now and then will determine what the world cup will be for me. So right now, I need to focus on my situation, deliver some results, that is my world cup preparation.

Valkyrja wrote:I seriously don't know how will Gundogan leave Dortmund for United, since the germans atm are a way better team.