Premier League - Kagawa wants central United role
Manchester United-bound midfielder Shinji Kagawa wants to be the creative spark the 19-times English champions have been missing once he completes the formalities of his transfer to Old Trafford.
Borussia Dortmund and Kagawa have agreed terms with United and the player only needs to pass a medical and obtain a work permit to become manager Alex Ferguson's first big signing of the close season.
The Japanese midfield playmaker, playing in a more advanced role, has been in superb form for his country in their three recent World Cup qualifiers, scoring once and providing numerous assists to leave Japan top of their pool.
He can also play down the left, but Kagawa is eyeing a more central role at United, who narrowly lost out on the title to Manchester City in May.
"I want to play (in the hole)," Kagawa told the Kyodo news agency on Wednesday. "I feel like that's where I play my best football. I plan on working hard so I can win my place at the position.
"They're one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I was given a chance to play for them. I took a lot of things into consideration, like the fact that they've got a deep squad, their style of football and it wasn't an easy decision.
"But I wanted the challenge."
United have been linked with numerous central midfielders in recent seasons to help complement the attacking threat they pose down the flanks with Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia.
Despite being strongly linked with Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder and Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric, United failed to sign anyone and tempted Paul Scholes out of retirement to fill the role last season.
Kagawa said that once he had heard of United's interest, the chance to join the English Premier League was too good to turn down.
"When you look at the football scene, it's the best league in the world. You've got the world's biggest clubs like (Manchester) City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea all in the same league which is fascinating.
"In the Bundesliga, the only games that compare are the ones against Bayern (Munich). I feel like I'd be able to gain so much by playing big games on a regular basis, including the Champions League. I can't help but be excited."
Kagawa had been linked with other clubs but the chance to work with Ferguson was appealing, the 23-year-old who scored 21 goals in 49 league games in Germany, explained.
"There was some talking going on with other clubs, but Manchester were the first to make me a formal offer and the more I talked to them, the more I felt Manchester was the place for me to be.
"I met (Ferguson) and contacted him a few times afterwards. I thought we hit it off, which meant a lot to me. He told me, 'Don't worry about a thing, trust me. I would love it if you could take on this huge challenge'."
"And when a legendary man like him says that to you, it carries a lot of weight."
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Great signing, just what Manchester United have been missing for a few seasons now!! Look forward too seeing who else we sign?
@ Nice guy, on Wed 13 Jun 16:21 Yeah just like all you liverpoo fans said Queen Kenny would take you to the top again, remind me how that turned out? lol :) I think I'll just smile at your comment and pat you on the head.
Good signing for United, central midfield is where we have struggled for the last few years, I still think we need one more central midfield player, then with Carrick/Fletcher we'll have a good mix of styles in central midfield. We also need a decent striker, Berba will be sold, Owen has gone and this Powell isnt likely to be a first team player (if ever) for a couple of seasons. United dont need a major squad overhaul, the one area we needed to strengthen - midfield - we now have. Cant wait to see Kagawa in action for United!!
Leighton Baines?? that would be a poor signing. He has Evra and Rafael or Fabio, all better. He needs new spine, a 4, an 8 and a 5. The 4 is the holding midfielder, Roy Keane or Michael Essien style. He has to get rid of Carrick. He is such a sideways or hit and hope player it is awful. The 8 can be Kagawa. Great signing. The 5 has to replace Ferdiand (or Vidic if he does not recover). Keep Smalling and Jones, fire Evans. Fergie is loaded down both wings and has fullbacks. Needs a striker to replace Berba if and when he moves.
comment 3 - surely you mean to conduct or control the creative side of the midfield and not anchor?
Comment 5, when it comes to flop, Liverpool fans know it best with vast experience, take Carroll for instance.
Fegie is a genius and whenever he loses a Title which is rare he comes back even stronger.He will relish the challenge of knowing that City and Chelsea have more money than United. His long record of success makes him without doubt the greatest club Manager ever.He is a wounded animal and I expect 3 more signings will come to United midfield,striker and a left back (Baines) I really would not back against the great man winning the Premier yet again
i thought they bought him for LW, looks like they need a new signing...
Im a liverpool fan and i know this guy will be a flop.
this guy is perfect for us, just what we need, but we also need a modric to complete the midfield with powell growing and fighting to be in there as well. we will buy baines to strengthen the defence and we are going to buy a striker to replace berba! hopefully one that does not play in slow motion, things are looking very good for united and believe me whne i say that city will have no chance in the coming seasons because manchester united and chelsea will be finishing in the top 2 for many years to come!
Yes he is the man to anchor the midfield
welcome to manchester united and every success
Just need a world class holding, but creative midfield player, left back cover, centre back? And a world class striker then we will give city a real run again.
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