Kagawa vows to improve

Despite winning the Barclays Premier League, Shinji Kagawa was not happy with his 2012/13 campaign and the Japanese starlet has promised to improve this coming season.

After winning consecutive Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund, the 24-year-old arrived at Old Trafford with a noteworthy reputation and showed glimpses of his immeasurable talent throughout a promising debut term, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.

With great intelligence, Kagawa even played in a number of positions, most commonly in the hole behind the striker or on the left of a midfield diamond, displaying the attributes that have made him one of the most exciting imports in European football. 

However, his consistency and form was ultimately undermined by an ankle injury that ruled him out for over two months from October onwards, forcing him onto the treatment table just as early-season momentum was beginning to mount – which was admittedly hard to take.

“It was a tough time for me with a lot going on in my head,” Shinji said of his first season with the Reds. “I am not happy with my performance for the team at all.

“I didn't score that much and I also had my injury. Despite that, it was great we won the league - I just don't feel that I achieved everything that I wanted. For me personally, it wasn't a good season.”

Of course, Kagawa is no stranger to overcoming adversity. Having been overlooked by Japan for the 2010 World Cup, the Reds hero declined a place on their standby list of players in order to start his pre-season training early ahead of a career-changing move to Dortmund the following month.

And after a successful spell in Germany - which later resulted in a dream move to United – that decision has been completely vindicated, proving the importance of hard work. Now, with another new manager to work with, Shinji hopes the same ethic impresses David Moyes.

“I always think that I must play well,” he told the Premier League’s official website. “And I always have an image in my mind of how I want to play, wherever the position. Whenever there is a tough time, whenever it gets difficult for me, I just train and look ahead to the future.”

*First Published on Manchester United Official Website

United agree Varela deal

United reach agreement to sign Varela

Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement to sign 20-year-old defender Guillermo Varela from Uruguayan club Club Atlético Peñarol for an undisclosed fee.

Guillermo will immediately join up with the Uruguay Under-20 squad for the upcoming FIFA Under 20 World Championships in Turkey.

first published on Manchester United Official Website.

Sir Bobby: 60 years a Red

Sir Bobby Charlton's incredible Manchester United journey began on this day, 60 years ago.

Charlton, then a fresh-faced 16-year-old, had attracted the attention of the club's scouts and it was on 6 June 1953 he reported for his first day's work.

Bobby was taken on as an apprentice and, in between training sessions, worked with the ground staff to maintain the Old Trafford pitch. It was the beginning of one of the most successful careers in English football.

With United, Charlton won three league titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after surviving the Munich air disaster, a tragedy that claimed 23 lives, including eight of his team-mates and best friends. When Charlton ended his Reds career he was the club's leading scorer, with 249 goals (a record that still stands).

In his autobiography, published in 2007, Sir Bobby recalled his first days at Old Trafford.

"It seemed I had, after all, been given access to my idea of paradise. I had the friendship of great young footballers who were ready to accept me and so clearly shared my passion to play the game that had always been an inspiration. The days stretched ahead of me so excitingly."
first published on http://www.manutd.com

De Gea's here to stay

David De Gea has admitted to facing difficulties since joining Manchester United in 2011, but insists he is loving life in M16 and has absolutely no desire to leave.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper enjoyed an excellent second season with the Reds, winning his first Barclays Premier League title whilst earning a place in the PFA’s prestigious Team of the Year. He even finished third in the running for the fan-voted Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.

Despite all of this, the former Atletico Madrid star has been linked with a move back to Spain, although De Gea was quick to rubbish such wild speculation whilst on international duty this week: “I have a contract,” he told local media. “I feel more and more happy at United.

“I faced normal difficulties - a new country, language, a different league - but through hard work I managed to adapt. I am very happy in Manchester.”

During a brief interview, De Gea also explained why it will feel odd to head into pre-season without the recently retired Sir Alex Ferguson but insists he is completely behind David Moyes.

“I felt great sadness when I heard about Ferguson's goodbye,” David said. “It will be strange not to see him on the bench or on the training ground. He is everything at Manchester United. He is Manchester United.

“Moyes had done a great job at Everton and now all of us have to support him. To substitute Ferguson is a huge target but if they chose him to do it, it is because he is prepared.”

Ruud grateful for fan reaction

Ruud van Nistelrooy admits he was “grateful” to receive such a rousing reception from Manchester United supporters during Sunday’s legends game with Real Madrid.

The once prolific striker was a firm favourite during his five season stay at Old Trafford but left under a cloud following a dispute with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Of course, the pair have since made up and the Dutchman was recently in attendance at the boss’s statue unveiling in November.

However, playing at Old Trafford again was another step up for Van Nistelrooy, whose presence prompted rapturous applause from the terraces as he represented both sides even scored for United during the entertaining charity affair.

“I am very grateful for the reception,” Ruud told MUTV, when asked how much he enjoyed the fan reaction. “For me, it meant a lot to come back to be back here, stepping on the pitch again. I was even lucky enough to score in front of the Stretford End again.

“I left all of a sudden after five years and that was a big awkward, so to come back and play a game again was great. I wanted to thank the fans for all of their support over the years while I was here and their reaction was just a fantastic bonus.

“I really looked forward to coming back and playing here again. It was a fantastic day and playing a half for each side was fantastic, it was great to line up with all of these brilliant players. Everyone enjoyed it and it was a good day for a great cause.”

As for the match itself, which ended in a 2-1 win for Real Madrid, Ruud was happy with his performance and felt United were on the verge of stealing a victory until Ruben de la Red's finely chipped finish put a full stop on proceedings.

“I think we went for it," he explained. “At 1-1, we were pushing for the win and the crowd were behind us. Dwight Yorke hit the bar and it looked like we were going to knick it, but then at the other end it was a fantastic chip – he really dinked it in, it was a fantastic finish. But I think everybody won today.

“It was fantastic. It was like nothing had changed, we were linking up and combining together. Scholesy was there and he drove the team on as the fittest of all of us. It was fantastic.”

Denis Irwin: 12 glittering years, 13 winner’s medals and 529 appearances for United. Legend!

Wish Denis and the rest of the Manchester United legends good luck in their match against Real Madrid today…

A legendary pitch awaits legendary players from Manchester United and Real Madrid’s glittering history…