After his success in the Bundesliga, it’s been surprising to watch Shinji Kagawa struggle in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson had a reputation for getting the most out of players, but for one reason or another, Kagawa has never been able to find his feet on English soil (footbally speaking).
David Moyes’ arrival at Old Trafford certainly hasn’t helped. Shinji has been forced out wide, his confidence has waned and he’s starting fewer and fewer games. Whilst playing in Germany, Kagawa was a regular goal threat. Over the last year or so, however, he’s lacked any kind of cut and thrust.
As a result, there’s been plenty of rumours regarding his future. Will he really still be a Manchester United player at the start of next season? There are plenty of fans who are hoping that Moyes will cut him adrift and bring in somebody a little more dynamic.
These particular individuals will have been pleased to see the following story in The Mirror: Manchester United are still sniffing around Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan and could use Kagawa as part of a swap deal.
United shelled out £16m to purchase Kagawa from Dortmund back in 2012. Now The Mirror suggest that Bundesliga team are keen to get him back. Whether they’d be willing to fully refund Manchester United is another matter.
But if sending Shinji back to Germany facilitates a move for either Reus, or Gundogan, then this will be a very positive step forward for the Red Devils.
The two German internationals are world class talents, both of whom still have their best years ahead of them. Reus, in particular, has the creative flair and talent to make Manchester United a more potent force moving forward.
Ilkay Gundogan, on the other hand, combines quick passing, neat technique and tough tackling. He’s an all action midfielder who would fit in neatly alongside Juan Mata.
With Gundogan’s Dortmund contract set to expire in 2015, he may be the more realistic transfer target. Either way, let’s hope that David Moyes isn’t afraid to use Shinji Kagawa as a makeweight in any potential deal.
What’s your take? Is it time for Manchester United to wave goodbye to Shinji Kagawa? Should the club be weighing up moves for Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus?
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If Kagawa will be use by Moyes,he’s better to sell the fantastic guy,so that his talent will not be wasteful,or why not try&bring Gundogan/Rues,or both to join him so that they can do it as they in dutmund for united,at least they’v been together before&then,their very fantastic,i love&prefer Kagawa to Mata.