Gary Neville: Too Stingy For Shinji

Gary Neville says Man United failed to utilise new signing Shinji Kagawa effectively as they slipped to defeat at Everton on Monday night.

The Japanese international started the Red Devils' Premier League opener in the attacking midfield position that he flourished in for previous club Borussia Dortmund.

And while Sky Sports pundit Neville was impressed by parts of Kagawa's play at Goodison Park, he says the 23-year-old's team-mates did not provide him with enough opportunities to test Everton's backline.

"United kept possession at times but I don't think there was a rhythm in their play and I don't think they got the ball into Shinji Kagawa enough," the former Old Trafford star told Monday Night Football.

"Kagawa was in good positions but United just didn't pass the ball through to him, instead they took the safe option and passed it out wide; they were a bit sluggish.

"It was only after Everton's goal that he came into the game; he then showed qualities that weren't in evidence earlier in the match, through no fault of his own.

"Kagawa was a plus for United as he was always available and continually wanted the ball throughout the night. He has got an awareness and showed a level of quality when he did have possession

"He brought players into the game with his interplay and was not shy of taking the ball in tight areas. He looks like he will be a good player."

Kagawa's fellow United new boy, Robin van Persie, entered the fray as a second-half substitute, but Neville feels the Dutchman will fill United's central striking berth from now on, forcing Old Trafford talisman Wayne Rooney to play a "selfless" role.

However, the former right-back feels that Rooney will relish his new task and form a lethal combination with Van Persie as United look to wrestle the Premier League title back from bitter rivals Man City.

"Rooney has not always been the man since he came to Man United," added Neville. "He has had Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Henrik Larsson, Dimitar Berbatov and Louis Saha, who was the top man in terms of positioning himself as the furthest forward of the front two.

"Wayne has made a success of every single partnership that he has had at United and if he has to play a different role he will; he is a great player that recognises the importance of the team and will not feel threatened by the arrival of van Persie.

"I don't think Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba could play together at Chelsea, I don't think Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor were that great together [at Arsenal], but Rooney is adaptable and serves other players.

"He plays that number 10 role, drifting into pockets between the opposition's midfield and defence. The players he plays with always score goals - but so does he, and he will get his fair share again."