Kagawa chosen for 'Rooney role'

Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen has hinted that new signing Shinji Kagawa has been earmarked for a central role.

The Dutchman is delighted that the club have all but tied up the signing of the Japanese starlet from Borussia Dortmund and is looking forward to slotting him into United's system next season. "I rank Kagawa very highly," the coach told Goal.com. "He's a player that I've known for a while because I keep an eye on the German Bundesliga. He's done very well over there. I think he's a player that will fit Manchester United and complement us." Kagawa can play wide or through the middle, but it is in that central role that the 23-year-old impressed the watching Sir Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan in the German Cup final and Meulensteen believes that may be his best position too. "At Dortmund, Kagawa played behind the striker which is a good position for him to play," he said. "He's got great movement, a great way to find spaces. "He gets behind the opposition in the midfield which means that he can help in possession or be direct in moving forward. He can play the ball quick, one touch or two touch. "He can create chances and he can score goals, he's got the complete package of what you would want from an attacking midfielder. "He can also play on either wing or even deeper in the midfield. So, he's a very versatile player." Kagawa is taking a short break now after Japan's World Cup qualifiers and will not be expected at Old Trafford to complete the formalities of his signing for a couple of weeks.