Wayne Rooney's Stay at Manchester United Will Hold Back the Champions

Wayne Rooney’s decision to snub Chelsea for Manchester United this summer was widely viewed as a victory for the champions over Jose Mourinho, but one United player has been left feeling deflated by his current status at Old Trafford.

Shinji Kagawa had most to gain from Rooney’s summer-long flirtation with the West London club, but the England man’s U-turn means Kagawa stays well down the United pecking order.

Currently on international duty with Japan, Kagawa was asked about his situation at Old Trafford—per Sky Sports, to which he replied: “Tough times are continuing, but all I can do is work hard.”

Kagawa has not made a Premier League appearance this season and was used for only seven minutes of the Community Shield win over Wigan.

Manager David Moyes recently suggested to United’s official website that Kagawa is merely improving his condition before returning to the team, having sat on the bench at home to Chelsea before being left out altogether at Liverpool.

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Shinji came back late (from the Confederations Cup) and that was the biggest problem for him. We had to give him a week off after he came back to play for us in Japan as well. 

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However, Kagawa found himself in direct competition with Rooney last season, making 17 league starts, and he will find himself in a similar situation during this campaign.

Robin van Persie is Moyes’ main man up front, and the United boss likes to operate with two sitting midfielders and two wide men. That leaves one position open, typically just off van Persie, and Rooney is front of the queue for the role when fit.

The last time Rooney pulled on a United shirt he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation against Chelsea, and only a head injury forced him out of the 1-0 loss at Liverpool.

Compounding Kagawa’s problem is the acquisition of Marouane Fellaini, who can also play behind a striker. However, Moyes is expected to start him alongside Michael Carrick in a deeper-lying position.

Kagawa retains many admirers, particularly at old club Dortmund where he scored 21 league goals in 46 starts en route to Bundesliga glory. A campaign was even set up by Dortmund fans to bring the playmaker back.

Even with Rooney on form, United lacked imagination in the middle of the park in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea, a situation that was repeated at Liverpool when both Rooney and Kagawa were missing.

The Japan international clearly lacks Rooney’s physical attributes and, arguably, his desire to win, but he is a more graceful mover on a football and, in the small window he has been given, appears to have an understanding with Robin van Persie.

Rooney’s status and longstanding relationship with Moyes will dictate that he is first pick this season, leaving Kagawa to impress from the bench, but United will be a more predictable outfit as a result.