Kagawa Excited For Reds Return

Shinji Kagawa places great expectations on his individual performances, so even after a debut campaign at Manchester United in which he provided solid evidence that he can make a big impact at Old Trafford, he still expects more.

Kagawa left behind a settled, tight-knit environment at former club Borussia Dortmund, despite their success on Jurgen Klopp, and joined United with the aim of challenging himself within a bigger set-up. It’s certainly been a challenge, he feels.

“It was great to win the title with United and to make it three in a row for me personally,” he tells the latest issue of Inside United. “But I feel I still have work to do. I would say I am half satisfied and half unsatisfied.

“I want to be a better player year by year. I expect a lot of myself. I hope to show my dynamism, style and presence more.”

Reds boss David Moyes confirmed that Kagawa will join up with his United team-mates on the Japan leg of the forthcoming Tour 2013 presented by Aon. And the Kobe-born attacker is already focused on what needs to be done to have a successful second campaign in England: “Hard work!”

He continues: “I think it is very important to keep working in your everyday training and in matches. You just have to keep practising. But you must also have a strong will. That is the key to playing in a foreign country, especially for me in Europe.

"It’s important to think positively and keep trying hard, imagining you are successful, even when things are tough.

“You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t, things can go wrong both on and off the pitch. And you can’t enjoy it. Being positive and believing in yourself is important, not only in football but also in improving as a person.”