Hero Shinji Kagawa can take advantage of Wayne Rooneys woe
Shinji Kagawa nets his first goal for United in Saturdays win at Old Trafford Wayne Rooneys horrific thigh wound will give Shinji Kagawa the chance to cement his role as Uniteds new man in the hole.
The Reds striker spent Saturday night in the Bridgewater Hospital after his leg was cut open following a challenge by Fulhams Hugo Rodallega, and boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he will miss Sundays trip to Southampton and the Old Trafford clash with Wigan on September 15 along with Englands two World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Moldova.
Rooney, who started Saturdays match on the bench, returned home yesterday morning to begin his recovery and could be available again for Uniteds visit to Anfield against Liverpool on September 23.
But 17m new recruit Kagawa has set down a marker to play in the attacking role behind fellow newcomer Robin van Persie.
Fergie said in his programme notes on Saturday he believes the Japanese international can provide some midfield goal power in the way Bryan Robson and Paul Scholes did in their heydays.
And the 23-year-old proved he has a nose for goal by scoring on his Old Trafford debut against Fulham.
The goal wasnt scored in my usual style. Next time Id like to score a more typical goal, said Kagawa, who joined the Reds from Borussia Dortmund.
I wanted to make a goal as well. I like to make goals as much as score them and I was disappointed when Rafaels goal was disallowed for offside after I hit the post.
The Premier League is a much tougher league physically than what Ive been used to in Germany.
I need to get used to it. Even though Fulham are a mid-table team they proved very tough opponents and that is the difference to the Bundesliga.
Every team in the! Premier League gives you a hard fight.
But it will be good for my development as a player to play tough opponents in every match.
I want to improve parts of my game. I think the combination play with the other players will improve match by match.
We pass the ball sideways a lot but I want my team-mates to pass the ball forward to my feet.
I need to speak to them about this. I want them to have the confidence to play it up to me when Im ahead of them.
That is one of my strengths and style. I want to be on the ball more. I want to be busier.
His link up with Tom Cleverley was a highlight of Uniteds midfield vibrancy when they were on top against Fulham.
Manchester United 3 Fulham 2: Stuart Mathieson Match analysis
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney out for four weeks
The two 23-year-olds were born just five months but 6,000 miles apart, and dont speak each others language but Cleverley believes theyve struck up an instant understanding.
I love playing with him one and two touch, high-energy football. Were on the same wavelength and I really enjoy playing with him, said Cleverley.
Hes brilliant. He has settled in really well. He links defence with attack. He gets on the half turn and creates chances. I cant speak highly enough of him.
He can help me become a better player.
When you are playing with players you know are going to give you the ball back and you know what they are going to do, it can only help your game. So Im really enjoying it at the ! moment. I feel fit and confident and now I just want to try and add some goal scoring to my game.
I got into some good shooting positions against Fulham and I was unlucky a couple of times. Im feeling sharp and confident and, hopefully, I can have a good run of games now.
Rooneys spell on the sidelines could also open the door early for Danny Welbeck.
Ferguson was pleased with the RVP-Kagawa link, but says he has numerous combinations available to him.
There will be a better understanding as time goes on but I was pleased with that, he said. We normally do that (with a player in the hole), whether its Wayne that plays in that role or Danny Welbeck can do it, Ashley Young and Ryan Giggs can also play there. Weve got options.
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The Reds striker spent Saturday night in the Bridgewater Hospital after his leg was cut open following a challenge by Fulhams Hugo Rodallega, and boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he will miss Sundays trip to Southampton and the Old Trafford clash with Wigan on September 15 along with Englands two World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Moldova.
Rooney, who started Saturdays match on the bench, returned home yesterday morning to begin his recovery and could be available again for Uniteds visit to Anfield against Liverpool on September 23.
But 17m new recruit Kagawa has set down a marker to play in the attacking role behind fellow newcomer Robin van Persie.
Fergie said in his programme notes on Saturday he believes the Japanese international can provide some midfield goal power in the way Bryan Robson and Paul Scholes did in their heydays.
And the 23-year-old proved he has a nose for goal by scoring on his Old Trafford debut against Fulham.
The goal wasnt scored in my usual style. Next time Id like to score a more typical goal, said Kagawa, who joined the Reds from Borussia Dortmund.
I wanted to make a goal as well. I like to make goals as much as score them and I was disappointed when Rafaels goal was disallowed for offside after I hit the post.
The Premier League is a much tougher league physically than what Ive been used to in Germany.
I need to get used to it. Even though Fulham are a mid-table team they proved very tough opponents and that is the difference to the Bundesliga.
Every team in the! Premier League gives you a hard fight.
But it will be good for my development as a player to play tough opponents in every match.
I want to improve parts of my game. I think the combination play with the other players will improve match by match.
We pass the ball sideways a lot but I want my team-mates to pass the ball forward to my feet.
I need to speak to them about this. I want them to have the confidence to play it up to me when Im ahead of them.
That is one of my strengths and style. I want to be on the ball more. I want to be busier.
His link up with Tom Cleverley was a highlight of Uniteds midfield vibrancy when they were on top against Fulham.
Manchester United 3 Fulham 2: Stuart Mathieson Match analysis
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney out for four weeks
The two 23-year-olds were born just five months but 6,000 miles apart, and dont speak each others language but Cleverley believes theyve struck up an instant understanding.
I love playing with him one and two touch, high-energy football. Were on the same wavelength and I really enjoy playing with him, said Cleverley.
Hes brilliant. He has settled in really well. He links defence with attack. He gets on the half turn and creates chances. I cant speak highly enough of him.
He can help me become a better player.
When you are playing with players you know are going to give you the ball back and you know what they are going to do, it can only help your game. So Im really enjoying it at the ! moment. I feel fit and confident and now I just want to try and add some goal scoring to my game.
I got into some good shooting positions against Fulham and I was unlucky a couple of times. Im feeling sharp and confident and, hopefully, I can have a good run of games now.
Rooneys spell on the sidelines could also open the door early for Danny Welbeck.
Ferguson was pleased with the RVP-Kagawa link, but says he has numerous combinations available to him.
There will be a better understanding as time goes on but I was pleased with that, he said. We normally do that (with a player in the hole), whether its Wayne that plays in that role or Danny Welbeck can do it, Ashley Young and Ryan Giggs can also play there. Weve got options.
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