The arrival of Shinji Kagawa to Manchester United last season was greeted with great enthusiasm by the United fans and rightly so. After all, the Japanese playmaker was arguably the best player in the German Bundesliga, playing an integral part in helping Borussia Dortmund win back-to-back league titles prior to his move to Old Trafford.
However, more than a year on from the fanfare surrounding his transfer to United, it is fair to say that Kagawa has failed to replicate the brilliant form he had shown at Dortmund for the Red Devils and looks resigned to leave the club in the foreseeable future.
It is difficult to exactly pinpoint where things have gone wrong for the 24-year old at United as there are many factors involved. Some feel that the playmaker has struggled due to being deployed on the wrong position while others suggest that he is too lightweight for the physical nature of the Premier League.
Whatever the reason for his struggles though, the conclusion is that Kagawa has not lived up to the billing. Although he did win the Premier League title during his first year at the club, Kagawa displayed only flashes rather than consistent performances.
During the current campaign under new manager David Moyes, things have gotten worse for the 24-year old as he has virtually been anonymous. Admittedly, Moyes has almost criminally favoured the likes of Tom Cleverley over Kagawa by providing the Japanese international very few opportunities in the first team, but, it is pretty clear that the United manager does not have complete faith in Kagawa’s abilities.
The club record signing of Juan Mata in January, who is a similar player to Kagawa, only provided further evidence to the fact that the 24-year old could prove to be an expendable at the club in the summer.
With United fans getting impatient due to club enduring a torrid campaign so far, a massive overhaul being made to the squad is widely expected next season and it would certainly not be a surprise to see Kagawa allowed to leave the club.
There is no doubting the fact that Kagawa is a fantastic player whose technical abilities can match any player in the world but unfortunately for him and for United as well, things have just not worked out. The midfielder’s qualities means that he certainly merits regular first team football but it is hard to see where he will be accommodated at United on a consistent basis, especially with the arrival of Mata.
Although it would be a big shame to see Kagawa leave without fulfilling his immense potential, the player would be better off somewhere else.
What Do you think? Should Kagawa persist at United OR leave in order to avoid stagnation of his career?
