Shinji Kagawa will be out of action for three to four weeks following the knee injury he picked up in the Champions League win against Braga. How much of a blow will it be to the side?
Shinji Kagawa started the season as somewhat of an unknown commodity at Manchester United. He signed with a good reputation from Borussia Dortmund but few expected him to become an instant integral part of the United side in the way he has. The news that he will be out of action for three to four weeks due to a knee injury is a big blow.
It’s a blow because Kagawa is the piece of the puzzle which was missing at United last season. He is the small, intricate play maker that Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking for. He will once again have to fall back on the experience and quality of Paul Scholes as he waits for the Japanese star to regain his fitness and his place back in the United side.
Kagawa will be missed because there are few better at the club when it comes to floating around the midfield always asking for the ball and always looking to link the defence with the midfield and the midfield with the attack. He could play down the left, he could drift down the right or he could play with his back to goal giving under pressure midfielders an outlet.
His vision will be missed because he can see passes which other United players simply can’t. This can make the difference in a tight match against a high quality opponent where a split second of genius can lead to a goal which can turn no points into a point or a point into three points. Kagawa was key in this respect in terms of assists and also releasing pressure on the defence.
Sir Alex Ferguson may now have to drop the system he has been using in recent away matches of making United a very narrow side and filtering the ball through the middle of the pitch. He does have cover with Tom cleverly playing a similar role in the current side and also with Scholes available to fill in when needed. When United played a front three, Kagawa allowed two of those three strikers to effectively go and do as they pleased because Kagawa can fill in anywhere across the midfield and in the attack. One of those attacking players will now have to be sacrificed because United will have to stabilise the midfield.
The reason the system may have to be dropped is because Ferguson used a midfield diamond with three attacking players as a way to protect the defence, cramming the middle of the pitch with bodies. Kagawa allowed the defenders and other players to ping the ball into him at stupidly high speeds, with his teammates knowing that the ball would stick to his feet like glue as defence turned into attack.
The news is damaging but United have enough experience and cover to cope with the loss. It’s just a question of how much Kagawa’s absence changes the way Ferguson now wants United to play their football until key defenders return to action.
image: © Marcel Sigg
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
